McAfee issues stark warning on viruses

Web browsers and business databases are being attacked by increasingly sophisticated intruders

Security firm McAfee has said that it will work more closely with businesses and service providers to fight the growing problem of security attacks. 

Web browsers and business databases are being attacked by increasingly sophisticated intruders, according to McAfee, which warned of a rise in " financially motivated" attacks.

Working with the Organisation for Internet Safety, McAfee also reiterated its pledge to raise public awareness about potential vulnerabilities and points of attack.

Stuart McClure, senior vice president of global research and threats at McAfee, said that the company will work with affected providers as soon as a vulnerability is discovered in order to begin working on patches and other solutions immediately.

McClure pointed out that the number of known security flaws is dwarfed by the number of unknown flaws.

McAfee publicly disclosed 24 vulnerabilities last month, one relating to Microsoft and 23 built into nine patches for the Apple operating system. "But this does not touch the number of vulnerabilities that are never discovered," he warned. 

McClure also outlined the company's intention to help customers by providing improved pre-emptive protection against security attacks, which he claimed cannot always be dealt with adequately by patching.

McAfee has to stick to strict guidelines laid down by the Organisation for Internet Safety about disclosing vulnerabilities.

Once a security flaw is discovered, the affected provider must be notified immediately so that they can start working on a solution.