Q1-2011 Witnesses Rise in Malware: Panda Security

According to the security division PandaLabs of Panda Security the Internet security provider, which recently released its first quarter or Q1-2011 malware report, during January-March, 2011, there has been an enormous increase in malicious programs as well as a few notable cyber-assaults.

Discovering that malware rose tremendously, Panda Security found that a mean of 73,000 fresh kinds of threats were unleashed daily, accounting for a 26% rise during the first three months of 2011 as against the same months during 2010.

Moreover, Trojans, once again, dominated the fresh kinds of malicious programs, comprising 70% of the total fresh malicious software generated. Organized crime-gangs prefer these kinds of programs while stealing banking information in order that they may commit fraud alternatively pilfer balances from users' bank accounts.

Thus Trojan Zeus, for example, targeted Internet payment services like MoneyBookers and Webmoney. The malware didn't even spare the United Kingdom government, which admitted that the Trojan had attacked it during February 2011 in efforts to capture sensitive private details.

However, the new malware report highlights an interesting aspect i.e. that whereas PC Trojans have risen to become more widely used as also are aiding in more malevolent assaults, the number of malicious programs attacking banks has fallen over the recent period just like fake anti-virus popularly called 'scareware' scams too have declined.

Worryingly, whilst creators of malicious software were busy could Web hackers stay silent, is a natural query. Thus, websites like Facebook became targets of hacking assaults. For, during January 2011, hackers attacked Mark Zuckerberg the company CEO's fan page where they posted a message that read "Let the hacking begin." Facebook reportedly blamed a bug for the situation.

And lastly, Anonymous, the "hacktivist" gang that has struck various kinds of organizations, chased a particular target in pursuit of revenge. Aaron Barr Chief Executive Officer of HBGary Federal, after asserting that he knew about the individuals responsible for Anonymous, discovered hacks into his own firm's website as also his account on Twitter.com, as well as all personal e-mails leaked out for public viewing. As a result, Barr had to resign, the report outlines.

Related article: Q2 2010 Witnessed 540 Million Infection Attempts

» SPAMfighter News - 4/14/2011