Fortinet Releases March 2009 Threatscape Report

According to the Threatscape Report by Fortinet for March 2009, the Virut virus was the most prevalent malware in March 2009. The company marked the worm on its List of 'Top Ten' malware for twelve months.

Fortinet says that the chief characteristic of W32/Virut.A is its parasitic nature of infecting a file that is largely unusual in comparison to other worms and Trojans. Besides this, the malware can propagate via detachable media like USB memory sticks and/or file shares.

Derek Manky, Security Researcher, Fortinet, claims that the Virut variant has been so active that it is now easily recognizable. The malware has the unique ability to proliferate by combining with other viruses, which is responsible for its present existence.

Another virus, which Fortinet marks as the most dangerous malware in March 2009, is the Conficker virus. This malware that continued to make headlines worldwide evolved as a new version called Conficker.C, reports Fortinet.

Fortinet further says that given the level of attention Conficker has acquired, it is probable that its creators would try any form of attack in future when there is less expectation from it, and increased variants of Conficker.C have been distributed.

According to Derek Manky, one is still to see what all Conficker does post April 1, 2009. However, it is said that the Conficker.C will start its deliveries on April 1 and continue to act thenceforth.

Furthermore, Fortinet's latest report rates 30 new security flaws as "critical", a rise of 5 from February 2009.

Manky states that although these flaws have been exploited quite a less number of times, there is a high look out for such flaws that have a high longevity in the cyber-world, implying that the con artists experiment with them over a long period.

Additionally, Fortinet's March 2009 report highlights that attacks using social engineering tactics are constantly improving in sophistication. The LBS (Location Based Services), customized attacks and spam directed to the geographical location of a recipient are also becoming more doctrinal, the report states.

Related article: Fortinet Pinpoints Ten Biggest Threats

» SPAMfighter News - 4/7/2009