Phishing attacks back on the rise

Phishers are targeting UK internet users more than any others

Phishing attacks rose last month after a period of decline, logging a three per cent increase to more than 18,000, with UK users on the receiving end of almost half of the scams, according to the latest Online Fraud Report (PDF) from RSA Security.

A total of 18,080 attacks were recorded in April, an increase for the first time in three months, and the UK was the number one country by attack volume with 44 per cent of all attacks.

The UK also retained its second spot in terms of the top 10 countries by attacked brands. US firms led the way with 49 per cent, while the UK came in at 17 per cent.

However, the total number of brands attacked decreased during the period by 19 per cent compared to March.

The findings echo the latest MessageLabs Intelligence report out today from Symantec Hosted Services (SHS), which recorded a rise in phishing attacks of 0.2 per cent to reach one in every 237.1 emails. SHS also put UK internet users out in front in terms of phishing emails received.

There was some good news, however. The RSA Anti-Fraud Command Center now claims to have shut down more than 300,000 phishing scams.