The US is the largest source as well as target of malicious computer activity in the world, a new survey has said.
Symantec, a Silicon Valley-based security-software firm, said that between July 1 and December 31, the US accounted for 33 per cent of all computer attacks, including spam and malicious code threats.
It was also the target of 31 per cent of worldwide computer threats, followed by China with 10 per cent and Germany with 7 per cent.
The high degree of malicious activity originating in the US is likely driven by the expansive Internet infrastructure there, in the country. The US accounts for 19 per cent of the world's Internet users, the report said.
Moreover, the number of broadband Internet users in the US has been growing and despite the relatively well developed security infrastructure, the high number of Internet-connected computers there presents more targets for attackers to compromise for malicious use.
Symantec predicts that the US will remain the highest ranked country for malicious activity until another country exceeds it in numbers of Internet users and broadband connectivity.
The report also claimed that an individual's personal information including his credit card number, date of birth, and other sensitive information can be acquired for as little as $14 online.
"US-based credit cards with a card verification number were available for between $1 to $6, while an identity, including a US bank account, credit card, date of birth, and government-issued identification number was available for between $14 to $18," the report said.
