Computer Security: The war against viruses and other malware has no end

Malicious software code that infiltrates your computer is the number-one worry of IT security managers-again. It’s a geeks’ arms race out there, with authors of malware devising new ways to penetrate the latest cyber defense.

Forrester Research has been polling executives responsible for IT security each year about their occupational fears. In the latest survey, conducted in the third quarter of 2007, viruses, worms, and spyware ranked as the most important threat in businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, followed by hackers and identity theft. Among IT security executives in larger companies, malicious code tied for first place with failure to comply with regulations.

Forrester senior analyst Natalie Lambert notes that viruses, worms, and spyware have topped the list three years running. “Current security tools are not allowing IT security managers to sleep better at night,” she writes.