Enterprises Confront the Ugly Truth of Hidden Malware in Their Networks

Trend Micro security threat assessments help enterprises discover stealthy
malware slipping through their security systems.

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprises that have invested time,
money and resources into implementing top-tier security products for their
organizations were confronted with reality when they took advantage of the
Trend Micro security threat assessment - a risk-free, 2-week security
assessment that allows Trend Micro to monitor an enterprise's security
environment and help them discover how, why and where security threats happen.

Not as Secure as They Think
Enterprises that thought they were secure discovered otherwise: The security
threat assessment uncovered active malware and threats that had slipped
through existing security infrastructures, and were residing undetected on
corporate networks and endpoints on 100 percent of all participating companies
from North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. On average, these
companies have over 11,000 employees and include those from the finance, heath
care, government, education and manufacturing industries.

"The results garnered from our security threat assessment prove that as
threats become more numerous and sophisticated, conventional security
technologies such as endpoint antivirus, Web security gateways, email security
gateways and IPS solutions are struggling to keep up," said Jai
Balasubramaniyan, director of product management and marketing. "The types of
malware we found were more than just a nuisance, they were malicious and
designed to steal data."

Trend Micro security threat assessment provides an opportunity for
participating enterprises to measure the effectiveness of their current
security infrastructure. In just two-weeks, Trend Micro can reveal the answer
in a customized executive report that identifies any security gaps and
pinpoints exactly where the malware resides.

Between October 2008 and June 2009, Trend Micro performed over 100 assessments
on enterprises worldwide and discovered that:

-- 100 percent of them were infected with active malware.
-- 50 percent had at least one data-stealing malware hidden in their
networks.
-- 45 percent had multiple data-stealing malware infections.
-- 72 percent had at least 1 IRC bot.
-- 50 percent had 4 or more IRC bots.
-- 83 percent had at least 1 malware Web download.
-- 60 percent had more than 20 malware Web downloads.
-- 35 percent had at least 1 network worm.(1)

What's Causing These Security Gaps?
While traditional security solutions are critical for a first line of defense,
organizations still face a number of security gaps that are continuously
exploited by modern-day malware. Today's stealthy malware infiltrate corporate
networks for a variety of reasons:

-- Mobile users who go on and off the network with infected devices that
compromise corporate networks.
-- Inadequate remote office security, lack of onsite IT personnel, and
lax
policy enforcement impact security.
-- Increased usage of easily exploited technologies such as P2P, file
sharing, streaming media, and instant messaging.
-- Unmanaged and unpatched endpoints such as legacy systems, contractors
and guest laptops, USB devices, and other portable and mass storage
devices.

Discover How, Why, and Where Threats Occur
Trend Micro security threat assessment utilizes a non-invasive, listen-only
appliance that doesn't interfere with network operations.

Trend Micro engineers quickly install the assessment appliance at the network
layer on the core switch where it monitors network traffic to detect resident
malware activities, such as botnets. The appliance also monitors inbound email
and Web traffic to detect potentially infected messages and suspicious Web
sites.

Traffic received by the appliance is analyzed using a combination of Trend
Micro's scanning engines and technologies and integrates with the Trend Micro
Smart Protection Network, a next-generation, cloud-client security
architecture that provides a unique approach to blocking viruses, spyware,
spam, and Web threats before they reach business networks

At the end of the risk-free, 2-week assessment, Trend Micro will issue an
enterprise-specific report that:

-- Examines potential vectors of infection.
-- Identifies malware, information stealers, affected assets, infection
sources, and disruptive applications.
-- Pinpoints specific problem areas by IP address

-- Increases visibility into the company's security network for better
understanding of how the threats occurred, where they entered the
network, and how to fill security gaps.

Part of Trend Micro(TM) Enterprise Security
Trend Micro security threat assessment is part of Trend Micro Enterprise
Security - a tightly integrated offering of content security products,
services and solutions which is powered by the Trend Micro(TM) Smart
Protection Network(TM). Trend Micro Enterprise Security delivers immediate
protection from emerging threats while greatly reducing the cost and
complexity of security management.

To learn more about Trend Micro Threat Management Services and to get started
with a security threat assessment, contact a Trend Micro Enterprise sales
representative or visit us online at
http://go.trendmicro.com/thinkagain/form.php.

About Trend Micro:
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security,
focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and
consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing
integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity,
personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the
newest Web threats. Visit TrendWatch at www.trendmicro.com/go/trendwatch to
learn more about the latest threats. Trend Micro's flexible solutions,
available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence
experts around the globe. Many of these solutions are powered by the Trend
Micro Smart Protection Network, a next generation cloud-client content
security infrastructure designed to protect customers from Web threats. A
transnational company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Trend Micro's trusted
security solutions are sold through its business partners worldwide. Please
visit www.trendmicro.com.

(1) Data based on 60 assessments

SOURCE Trend Micro Incorporated

Andrea Mueller, Senior Public Relations Specialist of Trend Micro,
+1-408-863-6583, andrea_mueller@trendmicro.com