Computer Viruses Reach New High
Posted on: Thursday, 10 April 2008, 10:50 CDT
It’s no cause for celebration, but the number of malicious viruses, worms and trojans has officially exceeded the one million mark, according to a bi-annual Internet Security Threat Report from Symantec.Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, Symantec noted that "almost two thirds of all malicious code threats currently detected were created during 2007."
Symantec reported finding more than 711,912 total threats in 2007, 499,811 of which were found in the second half of the year alone . Most of these viruses targeted machines with Microsoft Windows.
Many of the viruses were noted to be modified versions of previous malicious programs such as key loggers that record information such as usernames and passwords when users visit certain Web sites.
The report notes that many of the digital criminals have adapted to use highly refined methods that cause them to continually search for vulnerable users.
Hi-tech crime mobs actually employ several programmers in hopes of finding an effective program
Said the report: "The combination of these factors results in a high volume of new malicious code samples that threaten users online."
---
On the Net:
Symantec
Internet Security Threat Report
Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports
Related Articles
- Worst Virus Infected Websites Unveiled By Symantec
- Free Anti-Virus Software To Be Introduced By Microsoft
- Barracuda Networks Detects and Blocks "Backdoor" Virus Sent Via Fake Microsoft Security Update Email
- Symantec Says Microsoft Abusing Monopoly
- Mosquito-Borne Virus Found on French Island
- Viruses Exploit Sony CD Copy-Protection
- Symantec Delivers Information Integrity for Windows Enterprises
- Cyber Cons, Not Vandals, Now Behind Viruses
- Harmless Virus May Hold Key to More Effective HIV Drug Discovery
- Some Fear Virus Threat to Cell Phones
Rating: 4.0 / 5 (2 votes)
 |
 |
Rate this article:
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds