London, UK - 1 April 2004, 14:30 GMT - The first quarter of 2004 has broken some key records to become the most economically damaging quarter for digital risk manifestation, according to the March report published by the mi2g Intelligence Unit, the world leader in digital risk. The mi2g SIPS digital risk database is the world's largest and has been collecting data since 1995.

Q1 2004 also heralds the first time that commercial websites have been successfully targeted through malware-orchestrated Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, achieved through armies of million-plus infected zombie computers running Windows - mostly home and small business computers. Both The SCO Group and The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) have suffered online disruptions for weeks, whilst Microsoft has largely resisted MyDoom based DDoS attacks. Parallel incidents have involved individual hackers or organised criminal groups targeting gambling and online betting sites as part of elaborate extortion schemes.

[CONTINUES]

Full details of the March 2004 report are available as of 1st April 2004 and can be ordered from here. (To view contents sample please click here).

If you are already a member of the Inner Sanctum you should have been emailed a full copy. To retrieve the original article please fill out the order form.