Between the months of January and June 2002 the number of Internet attacks worlwide grew at an annualised rate of 64%, according to Riptech.

The company, which has found that most of the attacks, 80%, came from just ten countries: United States, Germany, South Korea, China, France, Canada, Italy, Taiwan, Great Britain, and Japan.

Utilities are the number one target for Internet attacks. During the period of the study 70% of Utility companies questioned had been the victim of an Internet attack.

Public companies in general, it seems, are the jewel in the crown of most Internet attacker's eyes. They fell victim to more attacks than Government, privately held or not for profit organisations combined. So we all have to be vigilant.

There had been some concern, following the events of September 11th and all that it provoked, that Internet attacks on the Government's of the world would soar. But it seems that hasn't been the case. However, it has been found that some states identified as being rogue by the US Government have still been turning out attacks - but obviously no more than the US, Britain, France etc. ®