IM threats on the rise

The number of new worms and other security problems hitting instant-messaging services in July, climbing 24 percent over the previous month, according to a survey by Akonix Systems. The company's Security Center tracked 42 new threats to corporate IM systems, including viruses such as Rant, Prex and Kirvo, Akonix announced Thursday.

The Rant virus posed a greater risk for users, in that it was one of the first IM threats to spread across multiple IM networks. That appears to be the start of new trend, Akonix predicted. July also marked the month with the second highest number of threats since the start of the year, the IM security company said.