The increase in events, which can include minor probes for holes in network security as well as major attacks, stems mainly from an increase in worms and automated attack software, the company said in a summary of the report, which was seen by CNET News.com.

"The large increase in mass mailing, highly persistent worms and (in) security events indicates that this year will be challenging for security officers and administrators around the world," Chris Rouland, director of ISS's research and development team, said in the summary.

The study tallies the network events detected by ISS sensors deployed by some 400 clients around the world and outlines potential malicious online activity from Jan. 1 to March 31.

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