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$55 billion loss in 2003 due to viruses

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Julio Franco, Jan 16, 2004.

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  1. Julio Franco TechSpot Editor

    Trend Micro, the world's third-largest antivirus software maker, said Friday that computer virus attacks cost global businesses an estimated $55 billion in damages in 2003, a sum that is expected to increase this year.

    Companies lost roughly $20 billion to $30 billion in 2002 from the virus attacks, up from about $13 billion in 2001, according to various industry estimates.

    Read more: CNet News.
    Julio Franco, Jan 16, 2004
    #1

  2. ak_in_charge Newcomer, in training

    Just goes to show ya, you have to be more committed to security now more than ever.

    55 billion is a lot of money to lose over viruses.
    ak_in_charge, Jan 16, 2004
    #2

  3. Federelli Newcomer, in training

    Exactly, i mean 55 BILLION...
    OMG...
    The only reason i can think of is that either AV companies are not working as they should, or other companies are not using AV software....
    Federelli, Jan 16, 2004
    #3

  4. ---agissi--- TechSpot Paladin

    Have virus's ever been this big of a problem/issue? Thats a lot of money to lose ;)
    ---agissi---, Jan 17, 2004
    #4

  5. tkteo Newcomer, in training

    Sure seems like a good reason to fine spammers heavily for each and every address they send each spam to.
    tkteo, Jan 17, 2004
    #5

  6. Federelli Newcomer, in training

    And apply the required punishments
    Federelli, Jan 17, 2004
    #6

  7. Vehementi TechSpot Paladin

    I think this should be justification for more government involvement, if businesses are losing this much money. Perhaps a new branch of the FBI or Homeland Security is in order - we need more white hats working against these malicious virus writers.
    And we need a zero-tolerance policy for rampant malicious code - first time you do it and get caught, you're in jail for 40 years.

    And why do people write this malicious code? All they're doing is pissing people off, costing money, and sending themselves to jail. What is the point? I mean, this $55 billion is coming out of the American peoples' pockets, it's coming out of the honest workers' paychecks.
    Vehementi, Jan 19, 2004
    #7

  8. Rick TechSpot Staff

    I trust these thrown-up figures as much as if I were to guess a number.

    There's no real way to accurately add up losses due to viruses and they know that. But the figure sure makes me want to buy Trend Micro's product now..... ahem....
    Rick, Jan 19, 2004
    #8
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