Adware Accounts For Highest Spyware in March

Adware caused the maximum damage among all spyware in March. It generates substantial monetary gains for its developers. Companies pay to their adware creators for showing their ads. Some dubious companies even pay to other sources for installing their adware on users' computers, said Luis Corrons, technical director of PandaLabs. Govtech published this on April 5, 2007.

Adware constituted 68% of total spyware. PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) was the second highest spyware in March constituting 24% of detections in spyware.

The classifications in adware did not change in ranking in March. Adware/Lop again headed on top. This adware displays advertisements and places a search bar on Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The traditional adware/Gator occupied the second position, while adware/MyWebSearch took the third place. It too places a search bar on IE browser. Net-security published this on April 6, 2007.

The way, in which it spreads, makes adware accountable for the large number of infections. Recently, there was a notable rise in exploits using web pages to load adware on users' PCs. Like before there is no need for users to even accept the terms and conditions for installing the spyware. In addition since the installation of the malicious code takes place in the absence of users' knowledge, it is hard to detect the spyware while they continue to stay in the computers indefinitely, Corrons said. Financialmirror published this on April 5, 2007.

The second most prevalent malware in March 2007 were Trojans, about 25% of all detected infections. Spyware and trojans are the two malware that were most widespread. That was because cyber criminals use them most to satisfy their financial greed. trojans along with 5% of dialers accounted for 6% of March infections. 4% of infections were due to bots and backdoor Trojans.

There were numerous other infections that fall under the 'other' classification coming down from earlier months. This shows just how inappropriate it is when we call malware viruses, as malware takes up diverse forms in the present days. The malware category although includes viruses but it also includes jokes, cookies, hacked tools etc., Corrons explained. Financialmirror published this on April 5, 2007.

Related article: Adware And Spyware On A Rapid Increase

» SPAMfighter News - 4/13/2007