"We're almost getting swamped with the number of calls we're
getting,'' said Simon Perry, security business manager at Computer
Associates International, a leading maker of business software.
The jump in customer
inquiries and sales of anti-hacker software and services began
Tuesday, when it became apparent that a coordinated campaign of
attacks had been launched at major Web sites, from the popular
Yahoo! destination to the ETrade online brokerage site.
The hacker technique involved planting software programs in
dozens of "host'' computers, which at designated times can zap an
overwhelming volume of electronic data to other computers that
manage Web sites. Federal law enforcers were investigating.
Network ICE Corp., of San Mateo, Calif., said sales of its
anti-hacker software jumped by up to 50 percent this past week. The
software, costing $39.95 and called Black ICE Defender, allows
computers to detect whether a hacker is scanning a computer to see
if can be used to launch attacks. It also can identify the scanning
individual.
About 50 customers using the software sent e-mails in recent
weeks saying they may have been scanned, said chief executive Greg
Gilliom. Aided by this knowledge, he said, the customers took steps
to avert being turned into launching pads for attacks. It was not
known whether people scanning the computers were this week's
hackers.
SecurE-Com Solutions Inc., an Atlanta-based seller of security
services and software, saw phone inquiries jump by more than half
during the week, said executive vice president Pat McBride. He
expects higher sales over the next few months as companies put more
stringent protections into place.
Publicly traded stock of security consultancies enjoyed a nice
ride on the three-day attack by computer hackers.
Seattle-based WatchGuard Technologies Inc. shot up more than 60
percent from Monday's close by week's end. Axent Technologies Inc.,
of Rockville, Md., saw its shares rise about 25 percent, and RSA
Security Inc. of Bedford, Mass., rose by a similar percentage.
Companies were not idly waiting for business to increase but
actively sought new customers.
Seizing on the greater awareness of the Internet's vulnerability,
iDefense took out full-page newspaper ads Friday declaring "We
Warned You.'' The Alexandria, Va., consulting business said it first
warned of denial of service attacks nearly three months ago.
.gif){kind=spacer}
