This month, the Symantec Intelligence report takes a look at an often-overlooked side of malicious code: how attackers administer the webservers that they use to spread spam and malicious code. We also take a closer look at an odd smartphone application that attempts to trick users into thinking they can charge their device with rays from the sun. Click the link to read the report and be sure to leave your comments below.

Welcome to the February edition of the Symantec Intelligence report which, provides the latest analysis of cyber security threats, trends and insights from the Symantec Intelligence team concerning malware, spam, and other potentially harmful business risks.

Symantec’s powerful virtual and physical server security solution- Symantec™ Critical System Protection was recently put to the test at the Black Hat ® Technical Security Conference. Seasoned hackers from various world renowned groups tried but failed to capture a ‘flag’ that was hidden within an un-patched, vulnerable server protected by Symantec Critical System Protection.

Symantec is in the midst of analyzing a newly discovered targeted threat that shares a great deal of code in common with the infamous Stuxnet malware. Of note, it is apparent to Symantec that the authors of this new threat, dubbed Duqu, had access to the Stuxnet source code, not just Stuxnet binaries.

Cloud computing is rapidly transforming the IT landscape, and the conversation around adopting cloud technology has progressed from 'if' to 'when'. Enterprises are showing strong interest in outsourced ('public') cloud offerings that can help them reduce costs and increase business agility. These cloud services offer enormous economic benefits, but they also pose significant potential risks for enterprises that must safeguard corporate information assets while complying with a myriad of industry and government regulations

Following a survey of 150 business decision makers this white paper features a detailed discussion of the survey findings and the most frequently occurring and damaging attacks of recent years. We discuss specific attacks and some well known victims and suggest some ways in which organisations can reduce the risk of becoming the next high profile casualty of a website hack or phishing scam.

The Symantec Intelligence report combines the best research and analysis from the Symantec.cloud MessageLabs Intelligence Report and the Symantec State of Spam & Phishing Report. The new integrated report, the Symantec Intelligence Report, provides the latest analysis of cyber security threats, trends and insights from the Symantec Intelligence team concerning malware, spam, and other potentially harmful business risks.