The number of Canadian servers that are being targeted by hackers has drastically increased, according to an IT security company.
Websence Inc., a San Diego-based company argues that hackers are taking advantage of Canada’s clean cyber reputation after recently comparing the cybercrime rates around the world.
Patrik Runald, director of security research for Websence Inc., said malicious content was typically being hosted in places like eastern Europe, but in 2012 criminals have to focus on places like Canada, the United States. and France.
It has become much more common for malicious sites to be hosted on Canada’s internet service providers networks because Canadian IP addresses don’t face the same scrutiny as those from other countries.
Canada also hasn’t seen large cybercrime crackdowns like in the U.S.; and businesses aren’t as aware of the issue.
“The bad guys are looking to host their malicious content in countries that have good reputations,” he said.
Canada’s increase in cybercrime is part of a worldwide trend.
Canada ranks second worldwide for hosted phishing sites and hosts 170 per cent more phishing sites than during the same time period last year.
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Nicole Siena is an intern for the Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at @nicolesiena
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