Archive for the ‘Virus and Spyware’ Category

Kaspersky Lab has released its monthly spam report for May 2011, which shows the volume of spam in email traffic increased 2.1 per cent, when compared with the previous month, making up on average 80.8 per cent of the total. A reduction of phishing messages was also noted, while the share of postings containing malware increased.

In May, spammers actively used current hot topics in the news to deceive users. In particular, a surge in the number of messages was detected exploiting the news of the death of Osama bin Laden. Such messages contained malicious files as well as links to legitimate payware.

When infecting PCs, online criminals are increasingly benefiting from uninstalled updates for browsers and their components.

Research carried out by G Data SecurityLabs indicates that unclosed security holes in browser plug-ins are very much in fashion with bands of cyber criminals. This distribution concept means that current security holes are far from being the only ones exploited by the perpetrators, as evidenced in the current malware analysis for the month of May 2011. In the previous month alone, four of the Top 10 computer malware programs had been targeting Java security holes for which Oracle had been offering an update since March 2010. The German IT security provider has noted another increase in malware that installs adware or tries to lure users to install bogus antivirus programs.

According to estimates by G Data experts, the malware industry has been focusing on Java security holes since the end of last year. This kind of computer malware is already dominating the malware landscape and has recently ousted PDF security holes from the Top 10. “Even though an enormous number of program updates are being provided, users should not be fooled into deactivating automatic update functions. Not only does this apply to Java, but it should also apply in general to all browser plug-ins used and all applications installed on the PC,” recommends Ralf Benzmüller, head of G Data SecurityLabs. Users can go to the website www.java.com to carry out a quick check as to whether they have installed the most up-to-date Java version and all corresponding updates on their computer.

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP)

Experts at G Data SecurityLabs have noted another increase, this time among malware that installs unwanted software, called PUPs, on PCs. In recent months two kinds of malware from this category have made it into the G Data malware Top 10 – Variant.Adware.Hotbar.1 and Trojan.FakeAlert.CJM.

The programs function in different ways to one another, ranging from unwanted advertising displays or installing spyware to marketing bogus antivirus programs (scareware). For example, Trojan.FakeAlert.CJM tricks browser users into believing that the computer is infected. They can only disinfect their system by purchasing the “antivirus program” being advertised. Victims who fall for this scam purchase a completely useless and often dangerous software program which, instead of offering protection, only downloads and installs more malware, in order to steal personal data.