This latest report from Kaspersky Lab presents statistical data on malware evolution in 2005
This latest report from Kaspersky Lab presents statistical data on malware evolution in 2005
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions which protect against viruses, hacker attacks, spyware, Trojans, worms and spam, has released its latest analytical report, entitled Malware Evolution: 2005.
The report is based on data received from Kaspersky Lab's round the clock monitoring of malicious code. It covers the evolution of malicious code over the past year in detail, including developments which have taken place in the criminal underground. Presented in accessible language, the report will be of interest both to IT security professionals and computer users, and includes graphs and tables for easy reference.
Yury Mashevsky, a virus analyst at Kaspersky Lab and author of the report, emphasizes that the overall number of malicious programs increased significantly during 2005, indicating a considerable expansion in the malicious code market. The rise highlights the fact that the computer underground is becoming increasingly criminalized.
Changing trends in malware evolution are evidence of the criminal motivation of many virus writers. The report shows a significant increase in the number of Trojan programs of all types. These programs are becoming ever more popular, as they can be installed on victim machines without the user's knowledge or consent. System resources, passwords for online games, and other confidential and personal data can then be accessed by remote malicious users and used for financial gain.
In contrast to Trojans, the number of worms and viruses has decreased. This is a clear consequence of increasing criminalization. Virus writers and malicious users find it far easier to mass mail a Trojan program than to engage in the time consuming and costly development of new worms.
In spite of the move towards writing and using malicious code for financial gain, the computer underground is also still alert to the possibilities presented by new platforms and operating systems. The report includes information about Trojan programs for Sony Playstation and Nintendo gaming consoles, and also new malware for mobile phones running Symbian OS.
“The changes observed in 2005 will undoubtedly continue to develop in 2006, with new technologies and devices influencing, to some extent, the evolution of malicious code”, comments Yury Mashevsky in his conclusion.
Malware Evolution: 2005 is available at www.viruslist.com. Information in the report can be used in printed materials as long as the source is cited.
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab (www.kaspersky.com) develops, produces and distributes secure content management solutions that protect customers from IT threats. Kaspersky Lab's products protect both home users and corporate networks from viruses, spyware, adware, Trojans, worms, hackers and spam. For many years now, the company has waged a battle against malicious programs, and in doing so has gained unique knowledge and skills that have resulted in Kaspersky Lab becoming a technology leader and acknowledged expert in the development of secure content management solutions. Today, Kaspersky Lab's products protect more than 200 million users worldwide and its technology is licensed by leading security vendors globally. To find out more about Kaspersky Lab, visit www.kaspersky.com.
