Threats to Confidential Information by Type

In this reporting period, 86% of confidential information threats had a remote access component, compared to 88% in the first half of 2007 and 87% in the last half of 2006. While this exposure type dropped slightly in the current period, it still remains more popular than other techniques. This is likely because remote access, such as a back door, gives the attacker extensive control over the compromised computer, allowing for the theft of any information on the computer, the installation of other threats or the use of the computer for other purposes, such as relaying spam or hosting a phishing Web site.

Source: Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, Vol. XIII