ESET Lists Top E-threats for September 2009

Researchers at security company ESET recently published a threat list, which reveals the hazards that frequently troubled people with computer infections during September 2009, as reported by IT Chuiko on October 6, 2009.

The ESET September 2009 report entitled "Global Threat Trends" states that the top threat, which the malware tracking and reporting system of ESET detected for September 2009, was the worm Conficker. The malware propagates through patch lacking operating systems, network shares exposed to attacks, or detachable media devices enabled with AutoRun, accounting for over 8.7% of the total malicious programs spotted, according to the company.

Further, Conficker drops another PC virus called Waledac, which gives attacker remote control over the infected computer. This system attack adds to his malicious network for distributing spam offering fake antivirus programs.

Another malware that exploited the AutoRun function on Windows PCs was the next most prevalent threat in September 2009, contributing 7.5% of the total malicious programs. This threat was a mixed package of malware, as multiple trojans disseminated via detachable media.

The third most prevalent threat that ESET detected for September 2009 was a family of trojans named Win32/PSW.OnLineGames, which attacked Internet games players. It contributed over 6% of all e-threats. These trojans characteristically employ key logging tactics for theft of online gaming passwords.

According to statistics compiled by ESET, the above three threats together contributed more than 23% of the total infection detected during September 2009.

There were a number of other threats during the month that caused infection such as the Win32/Qhost Trojan family that changes the DNS configurations on contaminated computers, resulting in landing a user on a copycat, malicious website even if he types in the original URL address into his Web browser.

According to distinguished researcher Aryeh Goretsky at EST, in spite of the trend of detecting the mentioned worms over several months in recent time, people are not adopting essential precautions for their prevention, as reported by SC Magazine on October 9, 2009.

Related article: ESET Discusses Malware Writers’ Trend

» SPAMfighter News - 10/29/2009