US-hosted phishing attacks drop

Phishers increasingly looking to Russia and Hong Kong

Phishing attacks are becoming more organised

March saw a significant decrease in the amount of US-hosted phishing attacks, dropping from 74 per cent of all attacks in February to 55 per cent in March, according to security vendor RSA's online fraud report.

The move corresponds with a rise in the number of attacks hosted in Russia and Hong Kong, and could be a result of phishers routing their attacks through servers in other countries.

'Phishing and pharming represent one of the most sophisticated, organised and innovative technological crime waves faced by online businesses,' says the report.

'Fraudsters have new tools at their disposal; and are able to adapt more rapidly than everThere was also been a dramatic increase in the number of brands attacked, from 153 in February to 202 in March, suggesting phishers are broadening their targets.'

The number of US banking brands attacked in March fell to 16 per cent of all attacks from 19 per cent last month, as phishers diversify and target lesser known brands with potentially laxer security measures.

The share of US brands continues to be dominant as a target however, making up 73 per cent of all entities being phished.

UK institutions were second, but dropped to only 10 per cent of the phished entities. Spain and Canada continue to occupy third and fourth positions.

The report says the use of more sophisticated fraud techniques will rise as financial institutions deploy anti-fraud and strong authentication measures, which is making phishing less effective.