^macro[html_start;Net virus fight $10b a year;Net virus fight $10b a year;Net virus, cybercrimes, computer crime, net virus, fight, $10b, year] ^macro[pagehead;img/library.gif] ^macro[leftcol] ^macro[centercol;



Net virus fight $10b a year


By CARLY CRAWFORD
Date: February 01, 2004
Source: Sunday Mail

Net virus THE annual cost of combating Internet viruses, such as the crippling Mydoom worm, is tipped to reach almost $10 billion by 2006
As Mydoom, the fastest-spreading Internet worm yet, continues to cause havoc around the globe, computer experts are tipping anti-virus software sales to soar.

Software analyst IDC estimates that global revenue from anti-virus software reached $4 billion in 2001. That figure is tipped to reach $9.6 billion by 2006.

Last week, the FBI opened an investigation into the Mydoom worm, which is attacking one in 12 e-mails.
Microsoft has posted a $327,000 bounty for the capture of the worm's creators.

When opened, Mydoom sends itself to up to 100 other computers in just 30 seconds.

Peter Coroneos, of the Internet Industry Association, says thousands of viruses are created each day with the help of online kits.

"The people who do this are usually just trying to prove to their peers that they can," Mr Coroneos said.

"It's not done specifically to cause economic damage."

On average, Australian companies spend $34,000 mopping up after a virus, according to this year's Computer Crime and Security Survey.

Original article

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