ScanSafe predicts doom and gloom in 2009

Companies can expect an increase in rootkits, backdoors and password stealers

Web security firm ScanSafe has released its predictions for 2009, painting a bleak view of a landscape littered with malware.

ScanSafe warned of a boom in the use of web-delivered malware next year, and said that such attacks are likely to target businesses such as domain registrars and hosting providers.

The firm has urged companies and consumers to shore up their defences before it is too late.

"2008 has proved that we are not taking enough action against online criminal activity, hence the huge surge in online attacks," said Mary Landesman, senior security researcher at ScanSafe.

"I believe that 2009 will send a stern message to online criminals and we will see a push for tighter enforcement over domain registrations and hosting. Attackers often instigate these attacks for financial gain and, given the current economy, I suspect this motivation will only increase."

Such attacks are likely to focus on key areas, most notably the financial markets, warned Landesman.

"In an 'always on' world, and with increasingly sophisticated techniques, it is only a matter of time before these criminals maximise attempts to directly access online bank accounts, potentially leading to a loss in customer confidence," she said.

ScanSafe also warned that consumers will face increasingly sophisticated phishing scams next year, and that companies can expect an increase in the use of malware such as rootkits, backdoors and password stealers.

However, businesses are likely to suffer in other ways as consumers adopt third-party content blocking tools that will remove much online advertising, for example.