Botnets Unexpectedly Explode Over Summer

According to security researchers, the number of botnets and their sizes has been rising constantly since early July 2008. Currently, the total size of each botnet is almost five times of what was three months back in June 2008. However, it is still not clear why this wave has occurred. Originally, the strength of any botnet, alternatively all the bot networks put together is directly related to the botnet in ascension.

Also, as per observations, malware creators unleash a new piece of malware that infects several thousands PCs. A new bot network from these infected PCs is given a striking name that the media projects and all the security industry's 'white hats' hurry to build a security patch.

Moreover, once this security patch is extensively distributed, the aggregate of infected computers falls sharply. From then on, however, the game of malware variants becomes vigorous as malware writers develop new codes that the anti-malware industry faces and needs to address. Although the security industry may win the war against a particular botnet, the result of the battle is often uncertain. Despite all efforts of the different organizations and agencies, the aggregate of zombie computers on the Internet keeps on increasing.

Nevertheless, the security specialists identify the reason behind such increase in botnets. They say that it has been partially because of the college and high school students being passed out during the past three summer months. If that is true, then the total number of infected systems may be expected to fall as the students get back to their educational institutions.

Moreover, security experts are of the opinion that SQL injection attacks had been responsible for a considerable amount of the observed botnet growth. According to John Bambenek, Researcher at SANS Internet Storm Center, a certain number of SQL injection attacks had been attempting to insert data into Web pages as additional content. If anyone is looking for the blog, it appears normal, while a malicious program gets downloaded behind the scene, as reported by ArsTechnica on September 3, 2008.

Related article: Botnet Misuses Google Analytics

» SPAMfighter News - 11-09-2008

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