In a study just released, Nuspire Networks contends network reconnaissance is on the rise, growing more pervasive and potentially damaging than the threat of computer viruses. The study finds that port scanning incidents at remote locations and branch office environments have risen nearly 40 percent from one month to the next. When a weakness is identified, it can be exploited and leads to sensitive information falling into the hands of those who intend on using it for criminal activity, the company said in a press release.