We have also seen an uptick in the number of court cases, where SMBs have had six-figure amounts stolen out of their bank account by cyber thieves.

FORBES: 8 Steps To Keep Your PCs Safe From Online Criminals

The vast majority of computer viruses are designed to help cyber-thieves steal credit card numbers, online bank account credentials and other valuable digital assets such as login names and passwords.

BBC: Computer virus hits second energy firm

For instance, that link in an e-mail from a trusted friend could really disguise a malicious file or "bot" intended to steal your passwords, log all your keystrokes or ultimately put your bank accounts, personal details and other private information in the hands of cyber criminals or foreign governments.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) said it had "on occasion been the target of cyber attacks", following a report in an Australian newspaper.

BBC: Australia's central bank targeted by hackers

Hackers have been after passwords, bank account data and other personal information used for identity theft or years, but now cyber criminals appear to have a new target: airline miles.

BBC: In brief: Nepal to re-measure world's highest mountain

The good news: while cyber criminals are rolling out the red carpet for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, you can keep your bank account from rolling in the red by not falling for their troublesome tricks.

FORBES: Oscar Night Could Be An Award-Winner For Computer Viruses

The information gathered by Perfect Citizen could also have applications beyond the critical infrastructure sector, officials said, serving as a data bank that would also help companies and agencies who call upon NSA for help with investigations of cyber attacks, as Google did when it sustained a major attack late last year.

WSJ: U.S. Program to Detect Cyber Attacks on Infrastructure