Viruses Infect 5.3 Million Vietnamese Computers

According to the BKIS (Bach Khoa Internet Security Center) of Vietnam, PC viruses have infected massive 5.3 Million computers in the country, with almost 3,300 viruses spreading infection during July 2009 alone.

BKIS reports that nearly all the viruses have originated from overseas countries like Russia, China and USA while merely three are from Vietnam itself, It also added that the most destructive virus among all is W32.TedrooG.Worm that has attacked over 81,000 PCs.

BKIS also said that hackers' attacks affected approximately 89 websites of large companies and agencies during July 2009.

Furthermore, among the total hacked sites, 16 received assaults from domestic hackers while the remaining 73 received attacks from foreign country hackers. BKIS found that 183,000 computers in Vietnam were affected by approximately 113 viruses during the month that prevented users to use antivirus software or websites.

Thus, a large number of Web surfers could not access antivirus companies' websites although they could gain entry to other websites.

Vu Ngoc Son, Director of BKIS R&D, said - after the PCs had infected, the viruses blocked access to AV programs or websites, implying that users could not install or download an AV software, as reported by BERNAMA on August 3, 2009.

The security agency further cautioned that by not allowing users to update antivirus products, the viruses could steal personal data like login credentials for Internet game accounts or bank account details.

It therefore suggested that any user infected with a PC worm should not attempt at repairing his system himself rather he should take help from antivirus programs developers to stave off damage.

Meanwhile, computer worms have massively affected Vietnam. A new survey data from BKIS suggests that as many as 97% of PCs in the country are contaminated with such worms, 90% require to have operating software re-installed, and majority of users remain careless about protecting data.

Furthermore, Vietnam is experiencing increasing spam activities in addition to computer viruses, as security company Sophos recently released a spam report during July end 2009, stating that the country was among the Top Twelve spamming nations, generating 2.3% of the global spam.

Related article: Viruses Pose Biggest Threat to Asian Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 8/25/2009