The IMlogic Threat Center, a global consortium that provides global threat detection and protection for instant messaging (IM), today announced that IM security threats increased by 253 percent in January 2006 versus January 2005.

According to Waltham, Mass.-based IMlogic, a maker of instant messaging software, the risks posed by IM threats are increasingly linked to widespread financial damage and intellectual property loss.

In addition, attackers are progressively using newer technologies, such as root kit software, to disguise and/or hide the malicious attacks. “As a result, unsuspecting IM users continue to be at risk from infection of IM worms and viruses, and serve as a point of exposure and propagation,” the consortium said.

The IMlogic Threat Center said it helps companies stay abreast of these mounting attacks via strategic partnerships with Internet security companies, including Symantec, Sybari, McAfee, and Postini, and instant messaging providers America Online, Microsoft and Yahoo!

“The latest release of threat data reinforces the fact that traditional anti-virus software is not sufficient to protect against the rapid mutation and spread of the latest IM security threats,” the group said.

“During the first month of 2006 we are already seeing unprecedented growth in attacks over last year,” said IMlogic chief technology officer Jon Sakoda. “As organizations increasingly adopt and rely on IM for business critical communications the potential for widespread damage from these attacks continues to increase.”

The IMlogic Threat Center Web site can be accessed at: http://www.imlogic.com/im_threat_center/index.asp.

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IM Security Threat Increases

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