Symantec Ranks Gampass No.1 Malware in the APJ Region

Security company Symantec recently published its Annual APJ (Asia-Pacific and Japan) Internet Security Threat Report 2008. According to the report, malevolent programs and trojans are still threatening the APJ region after they turned highly malicious during 2008.

The report states that a Trojan called Gampass was the most frequently floating malicious program in the APJ region during 2008. Notably, it had been the top malware during 2007.

Characteristically, this Trojan steals users' credentials of online gaming accounts like Rohan, Lineage etc. It also harms Windows 95, Windows ME, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Further, the malware originates most in China, followed by Taiwan at second place.

In addition, the second malicious code that comes as the most common malware on APJ's list is 'Gammima.' This malware, which could be either a virus or a worm, creates an autorun.inf file that makes the drive play automatically. Naturally, if a network of computers shares this drive, then all the remaining computers could become infected during the sharing process. Taiwan is the leading country reporting this malicious code, followed by India at second place.

Among others, the Sality worm, albeit placed on the ninth spot on APJ's list of most malicious codes, is a major worm that infected Indian computers in huge number during 2008. The worm proliferates by infecting screensaver and .exe files. Since it contains an autorun virus component, it can spread to any detachable device. Additionally, Sality also contains a downloader Trojan feature with which more malware are downloaded.

Another prominent Trojan, which was spreading fast worldwide during 2008, is the Vundo. Astonishingly, it ranks tenth on the APJ list of malicious codes. This Trojan projects malicious ads and downloads extra malware. Australia is the country, which reports the most number of this Trojan, while India follows it at second place.

Meanwhile, other vicious programs that are comparatively less prevalent in comparison to the above codes, but occupy a place on APJ's malware list are Fujacks (at number 3 position), Pagipef (No.4), Runauto (No. 5), Almanahe (No. 6), Rontokbro (No. 7) and Imaut (No. 8).

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» SPAMfighter News - 4/23/2009