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Taterf Ranks First on Microsoft’s August 2009 Top Ten Malware List

The Microsoft malware Protection Center (MMPC), on August 28, 2009, issued a list it compiled of the ten most prevalent malware samples spotted during August 2009.

Microsoft states that the malicious program, which ranked No.1 and made 544,662 malicious threats during the month, was Taterf. This program proliferates through mapped drives so that it can grab account and login particulars of well-known Internet games.

Subsequent to Taterf and positioned at No.2 is Win32/Renos. This malware displays bogus security alerts that cause annoyance to end-users. The purpose of the malware is to deceptively get an end-user to install intermediary cleaning programs online, generally anti-spyware scanners. The esteemed software company discloses that the malicious 'Renos' accounted for 308,789 malicious threats in all during August 2009.

After Renos and at No.3 position among the Top Ten malware of Microsoft is data-stealing Trojan Alureon. This malware lets a hacker to tap inbound and outbound online traffic for the collection of sensitive data like usernames, passwords and credit card details. With Win32/Alureon, a hacker can transfer malevolent data to an infected PC. Additionally, the Trojan contains rootkit features due to which it manages to function stealthily. The malware accounted for 249,101 e-threats overall during August 2009.

Coming fourth, among the ten most prevalent malware on Microsoft's list is FakeRean, a Trojan that accounted for 219,359 detections during August 2009. Posing as worthy applications, Trojan FakeRean effectively conceals its destructive activities from the operator of the infected computer.

One more Trojan that occupied a place on Microsoft' Top Ten series during August 2009 was Bancos. Positioned at No.5, this Trojan made a total of 173,134 threat counts and meant to steal passwords.

Other malware which joined the August 2009 list were Koobface at No.6, Frethog at No.7 and Cutwail at No.8.

Moreover, Rustock and Tibs managed to occupy the No.9 and No.10 spots respectively.

As the total counts of these e-threats continue to rise, it is recommended that users should deploy up-to-date antivirus programs so that incidents of system compromise may be averted.

» SPAMfighter News - 9/17/2009

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