Companies warned that cyber criminals are closer to home than they think

While Asia has a reputation for being home to many of the world’s most high profile hackers, one security firm has warned British businesses that their data could be under equal threat from cyber criminals from eastern Europe.

According to Trend Micro, the number of hackers in eastern Europe is on the increase and more worryingly they are using far more advanced to technology to build their malware than those in the Far East.

Tom Kellermann, vice-president of cyber security at Trend Micro, said that hackers in east Asia are largely using “off the shelf” malware techniques while those in eastern Europe are using custom built and highly complex methods.

He said that eastern European hackers are often “guns for hire” who will attack companies' systems on order much like snipers take out targets.

He added: “It’s important for firms to know their enemy and, despite the headlines, the enemy is just as dangerous closer to home.”

Breaking news from ihotdesk, IT security solutions in London.