Over 21m Fresh Malware Strands Spotted During Q2-2015, States PandaLabs

Panda Security's malware research wing PandaLabs has just released the second quarter report highlighting that there has been fresh records of malware being released during April-June, 2015 when a mean of 230,000 new malicious programs got spotted daily, implying an aggregate of 21m novel samples during the quarter period.

As against the same quarter 2014 when 160,000 strains were noted, the current quarter has witnessed a rise of 43%.

Most strains among the current quarter's samples are actually familiar malware that cyber miscreants have customized such that AV (anti-virus) solutions can't spot them. Trojans keep being the commonest means of contamination that have infected 76.25% of Web-surfers. The quarter has further witnessed 'potentially unwanted programs' (PUPs) spreading that had been behind 14.39% of the contaminations, immediately following Trojans.

By again using an old method for contaminating users i.e. through CryptoLocker, the ransomware continues to be one critical threat. In this type of attack, macros are involved within Microsoft Office documents, particularly Word files. By using a hazy image, the malware attackers would execute their assault that would solely become visible provided the victim has the macros activated. With this, the CryptoLocker completes the infection.

The maximum contaminations during Q2-2015 occurred in Latin American and Asian nations with China leading at 47.5%, and the other countries following at 43%, 42% and 41% respectively being Turkey, Peru and Russia. Similarly globally, the least contaminations occurred in Europe with the countries in initial rankings as the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal at 28%, 27% and 27% respectively. On No.6 ranking of the countries with least contaminations was United Kingdom far below the world mean 32%.

For lessening the ransomware's attacks, Panda Labs advises PC-operators to ensure software updates for third-party programs and all operating systems; deploy only authorized security software; be careful with unsolicited e-mails; deactivate in Windows all concealed files; keep all critical files in back-up; and finally, disconnect the PC from the Net when it isn't being used.

Meanwhile, in case user becomes infected while there is no back-up made, he is strictly recommended against making any ransom payment that's demanded of him.

» SPAMfighter News - 9/25/2015