Adware Caused Maximum Malware Infections in Q1-2008

As per the PandaLabs Q1 malware analysis and detection report of Panda Software, the major source for malware infections in the first quarter of 2008 were Adware followed by Trojans, the second potent variety.

According to the figures of PandaLabs' Q1 malware analysis and detection report, adware was mainly responsible for 28.58% of corruptions, with trojans causing 25.46% of other corruptions in the first quarter 2008.

The report indicated that the two most potent viruses in Q1 2008 were Adwares, called Comet and NaviPromo respectively. The third greatest corrupting virus found by Pandalabs was the Bagle.HX worm, targeted to distribute and corrupt the maximum number of computers.

PandaLabs' Technical Director, Luis Corrons, said that Adware is a kind of malware that displays advertisements while customers browse the Internet. Apart from being irritating, several varieties could endanger the PC's safety or functioning, therefore consumers are advised to be careful, as reported by eChannelLineon April 2, 2008,

As indicated by Pandalabs first quarterly report, subsequent to Adware and Trojans, the numbers reduced drastically, with worms comprising 9.94% of the corruptions, thus ranking as the third biggest corrupter in Q1 2008. The survey also revealed that the first three months of 2008 witnessed, yet another multitude of fresh trojans generated on the Web each month.

As per Corrons, the mass of novel trojans introduced into distribution each month shows that hackers are keen on producing new varieties more often, making discovery more and more tough for security software, which are incapable of updating key files timely, leaving customers defenseless, as reported by eChannelLine on April 2, 2008.

The Pandalabs first quarterly report also stated that trojans targeted to plunder private information such as email passcodes, instant messaging contacts, and more are the most frequent and recorded 54.48% of total corruptions.

The report, in addition, contains details on matters like the major flaws found during the first quarter of 2008, an new invasion that employs rootkits equipped to change the PC's Master Boot record (MBR) or an investigation of the growth of "Storm Worm," one of the leading worms of 2007.

Related article: Adware And Spyware On A Rapid Increase

» SPAMfighter News - 4/10/2008