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Latest Statistics and Trends in the Malware Industry

The threat from malicious software grows larger every year. The type and number of
malware programs produced continues to propagate at an alarming rate. Studies have
concluded that an average of 74,000 additional malware programs were developed every 24
hours last year. Malware has become such an overwhelming burden that it is estimated that
more than 32 percent of the computers in the world are affected by some form of malicious
software.

Eastern Asia has the highest incidents of infection. Countries such as China, South Korea,
and Taiwan report the largest number of attacks. Countries in the northwestern part of
Europe, for instance, Norway, Switzerland, and Sweden, report the lowest number of
infections. The United States ranks number eleven in malware infections. More than 30
percent of the nation’s computers are infected.

The majority of malware infections arise from viruses, Trojan horses and undesirable
software. One of the most prolific viruses known thus far is the Conficker worm. The
Conficker worm, also called Downadup or Kido, was first discovered in 2008. It attacks
through vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system. The worm uses a variety of
advanced malware components and attack routes as a means of transmission.

This includes software vulnerabilities in portable media devices such a USB drives, CDs and
DVDs as well as weak network passwords. Conficker also generates a backdoor on the
system to allow remote access for additional malware to be installed.

Once the worm infects a vulnerable computer, it turns off the automatic backup, deletes
previous restore points, disables security services and blocks access to security websites. It
spreads across networks to create a botnet that authorities speculate cybercriminals will use
for spam, identity theft or other malicious activities.

Conficker has been spread to more than 200 countries. Approximately $4.5 billion was spent
as a result of malware infections last year in the United States alone. Statistics show that
one million accounts were breached, resulting in monetary loss or misuse.

In addition, 8 million users report having experienced serious spyware problems over the
past 6 months, and 16 million report severe virus infections over the last 2 years. The
number of users reporting heavy spam reached 24 million.

Viruses account for 57 percent of malware infections. They alter the manner in which
computers operate without the user’s consent or knowledge. Once on the computer, it
replicates and inserts itself into another program. Viruses are usually attached to an
executable file. They can result in a variety of performance issues including annoying pop
ups as well as the destruction of programs it has infected.

Trojans make up approximately 21 percent of malware problems. Trojans masquerade as
legitimate software programs to deceive the user so they will install it. Once on the
computer, they may set up pop-ups, delete files, change desktops and continue to spread
viruses. Trojan downloaders are often installed without the user’s interaction through security
flaws.

They allow unauthorized access to the computer for the purpose of installing and executing
malicious files. Other types of undesirable software installed fraudulently or with malicious
intent make up about 4 percent of malware cases.

31 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – April 2014 Edition
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