Web Security Market to Hit $58 Billion

Recent research suggests that the global IT security
market will grow to $58 billion by 2010. Market
research firm ReportBuyer.com predicts the 16
percent annual growth (that began in 2005) will
continue through 2010—largely due to steadily
rising demand from the government, healthcare and
financial sectors. Firewalls and content management
solutions currently represent the largest share of the
market, but unified threat management products

will account for more of the market as customers
implement defence-in-depth security strategies. Also,
the research suggests that though the largest markets
today are the US and Europe, Asian economies like
China and India are quickly catching up.
To learn more, or to purchase the full report, visit:
http://www.reportbuyer.com/go/BCC00046
  

A recent survey of more than 2,400 Web users,
commissioned by MoreComputers.com, found
consumers increasingly irritated by deceptive website
tactics. ‘Philfing’ is the name given to the practice of
“purposely hiding what I’m looking for”—holding
back the real cost of extras (such as charges for tax,
delivery, credit cards, baggage and insurance) until
the last minute. The research reveals so-called ‘free
delivery’ that turn out to require an extra purchase or
spending over a certain amount frustrate consumers
immensely. As do hidden surcharges for paying by

credit card. Another consequence of philfing is that
shopping comparison websites are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a level playing field when listing prices. 93 percent of those surveyed were
annoyed by sneaky website charges, with 64 percent
of those surveyed saying the charges have actually
caused them to abandon a purchase entirely.

MoreComputers has set up an informative website,
and is asking users to submit philfing examples, at:
http://philfing.info

What if a Web researcher found a bug on your
website today, but was too afraid of the law to tell
you? A new report, by a Computer Security Institute
(CS I) working group, concludes that fear of prosecution
may discourage Web researchers from disclosing
security holes to website operators. New legislation
may make it easier for site owners to prosecute those
who locate and disclose vulnerabilities. This could
result in less disclosure, and ultimately more unknown
vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit.
The group’s inaugural report offers insights and
discussions from security researchers, computer crime

law experts and representatives from law enforcement
agencies. It also shines a spotlight on Web
2.0 technologies that make it easier for users to pay
bills, order medication and swap photos online. The
current legal framework makes it difficult to highlight
security flaws in these next-generation Internet
applications, which are quickly becoming ubiquitous.
Moving forward, the group plans to create disclosure
guidelines which will help site owners write policies
and help security researchers understand them.

The full report is available at: http://i.cmpnet.com/
gocsi/db_area/pdfs/CSIWebSecurityResearchLaw.pdf

continued on page 9