Online security

1 Overview

Security products prevent a user's computer or computer network from being damaged by hackers or viruses, from being overwhelmed by unwanted email, or from displaying unsuitable content. Some security vendors are also offering protection against fraud arising from identity theft.

DSL users are especially vulnerable to attack because of the ‘‘always-on’’ nature of the connection. Cable modems are in principle even less secure, because the traffic to individual modems travels down shared lines. Cable modems also have static IP addresses, which in theory makes them more vulnerable to a targeted attack.

This profile concentrates on the business case for providing those security services most relevant to a typical residential or SME broadband customer. It introduces the key broadband security concepts.

Key issues

‘‘Drive-by downloads’’ increasing. Increasingly, legitimate Web sites can host malware that can then infect a user's PC without the user realising. The malware may then attempt to steal credit card information or bombard the user with fake security and anti-virus warnings in order to trick the user into handing over credit card details.

Spam continues to grow strongly. New techniques (attachments, embedded URLs) and ever increasing volumes mean that the Spam problem is still here, despite improved filters

There is a move to ‘‘security suites’’ rather than separate products such as anti-virus or anti-spam software. For example, Symantec reported reduced anti-virus revenues during its 2006 reporting year, but increased overall internet security revenues. Consumers are increasingly aware of the variety of threats beyond viruses...

‘‘Shrink-wrapped’’ vendors are doing more and more online. Although significant anti-virus and protection software revenues come from retail sales, online purchases, upgrades and renewals are increasingly important.

The security market is growing strongly. Information both from vendor results and Point Topic's market analysis shows strong growth across regions, and significant spending by both consumers and businesses on security.

There are new threats. Threats continue to evolve as hackers and criminals devise new ways of committing crimes, frauds and scams via email and the web. During 2008 and 2009, hackers became more expert at hiding or ‘‘obfuscating’’ their attacks.

Educating broadband users to be aware of the threats is as important as maintaining the technical security measures to prevent malicious activity, as hackers use more ‘‘social engineering’’ to trick people into divulging private information

Instant messaging (IM), VoIP, wireless home networks and Bluetooth devices are all possible points of attack that users and providers need to protect. Physical data loss has become more of a concern, as a single DVD or laptop can contain a very large database.

New profile content

This profile has been updated. It now includes security results from Point Topic's detailed July 2008 survey of UK residential broadband users. Section 3.1 has survey results on attitudes and expenditure, while section 6 has a detailed list of suppliers. Section 2.3 has been expanded to include more information on the development of drive-by downloads and other Web-based attacks. Section 3.1 has revised market size estimates from the latest editions of Point Topic's Consumer broadband value-added services report and Business broadband value-added services report.