US Hosts 43.3% of World’s Malware

As per the latest "Security Labs Report" by M86 Security, the 'Top 10' malicious codes (proportion globally) hosting nations for the first half of 2010. The US occupied the first rank with 43.3%. China secured the second place on the list with 14.1%. The Third and the fourth positions were occupied by Russia and Germany with 4.1% and 3.7% respectively. Amongst all the 10 nations, the UK secured the last rank with a minimal of 2.0%.

Commenting on the findings, Bradley Anstis, Vice President of Technology Strategy at M86, said that that there was surely much more in the US as compared to any other nation. Most of the websites were hosted in the US, making the findings comprehensible, as reported by the govtech on July 19, 2010.

Moreover, the United States hosted higher number of infected websites in the H1-2010 when compared with the second half of 2009. The US recorded malicious codes at an approximate rate of 35.5% in the second half of 2009.

The report also highlighted that spammers were actively sending malicious e-mail to users. It is evident from the fact that spam accounted for 88% of the total specific inbound e-mails to the institutions. Spam, advertising cheap online drugs and pharmacies, dominates the scenario completely, with a "market" share of 80% in the first six months of 2010. The next highest category is of, Replica product spams, with 12 % "market" share. This type of spam persuades users to buy designer rip-off watches and bags. Besides, there is a sharp drop in all other small categories.

As per the new biannual report of M86, e-mails are still the key driver for the propagation and promotion of malware. Although old mass mailers like Netsky still exist, their numbers have fallen down considerably.

Finally, the report states that even with successful shutdown of rogue ISP's, the global spam volume is still increasing. It is marching unhindered, indicating that this monster can't be easily restricted without going after its head - affiliate programs. These affiliate programs are developed by the fake online retailers, who utilize the botnet operators or herders, to increase both sales and traffic to their websites through spam campaigns.

Related article: US Passes Baton to Asia in Spam Relay

» SPAMfighter News - 7/31/2010