Symantec (SYMC) is the leader in the security software market and competes with McAfee -- which was recently acquired by Intel (INTC) -- as well as with Computer Associates, AVG, TrendMicro and Kaspersky Labs. Symantec recently released a report in which it noted that cyber attack tool kits have become more accessible and much easier to use. This report followed incidents in December in which credit card giants Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) were targeted by cyber attacks.

While such cyber attacks are dangerous for businesses and individuals, they create new business opportunities for antivirus software companies like Symantec, as demand for these products increases. We estimate that security software (for both consumers and businesses) constitutes roughly 50% of our $21.36 price estimate for Symantec stock, while storage software effectively makes up the balance. Our price estimate for Symantec stock is about 20% above the current market price.

Internet search behemoth Google (GOOG) is looking for ways to help ward off cyberattacks, and it appears that they have turned to the National Security Agency (NSA).

According to the Washington Post, an agreement between the two is being finalized. The agreement would help Google with its recent "corporate espionage attack" that it believes originated in China. This attack targeted the company's computer networks. The alliance would help Google, and its users, from any future attacks.

The German government recommends using browsers other than Internet Explorer until Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) provides a patch to fix a critical security flaw that allowed a cyber attack against Google Inc. (GOOG).

In a statement posted on its website, Germany's Federal Office for Information Security warned that attacks by hackers "cannot be fully prevented," even if users run Microsoft's browser in safe mode.

There was quite an amazing development Tuesday afternoon, when Google Inc. (GOOG) said it is considering pulling out China. It explained on its Google Blog how in mid-December it detected cyber-attacks originating from China.

The attacks were part of a larger assault on other companies. At Google, the attackers accessed the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists and the accounts of dozens of American and European-based supporters of human rights in China. Google also said it will stop censoring its search results in China.

The Washington Post reported over the weekend that the CIA had warned U.S. utilities of the possibility of attacks, or threats with extortion demands, via the internet. At a conference in New Orleans attended by security officials from governments, utilities, and companies such as Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) and BP (NYSE: BP), a cybersecurity analyst broke with CIA disclosure polices to detail several recent cyber intrusions outside the United States, one case resulting in a power outage that affected several cities.

Increasingly sophisticated intrusions into corporate computer systems have cost companies worldwide more than $20 billion each year, according to some estimates. And extortion is a growing threat, with attackers radically increasing their take from online gambling sites, e-commerce sites, and banks, which pay up to prevent their sites from being shut down and to avoid public knowledge their sites have been hacked.

With the rising tide of cyber attacks on the infrastructure over the past year or so, and the vulnerability of the power grid, transportation systems, and big banks becoming increasingly clear, investors have to wonder how secure the exchanges are from extortion or efforts to manipulate the markets by individuals or organized groups. The London Stock Exchange suffered a cyber attack this past June. Such attacks frequently originate from overseas, sometimes supported by foreign governments, and perpetrators can be next to impossible to track down and bring to justice.