CartBitDefender Lab’s Top 10 Malware List for February Reveals Threats Using Packing Methods Dominate List
"Virus writers use packers to decrease the size of the virus and to increase the cost of analysis - unpacking something packed in an as-yet unknown manner takes a lot of time and skill," explained Sorin Dudea, Head of BitDefender AV Research.
Aside from these threats, the Peed/Storm Trojan dominated the top of the list at 16.88 percent of total detections, a strong resurgence given its absence from the January Top 10 Malware List. The "popularity" of the Windows WMF vulnerability decreased as viruses using its signature only accounted for 5.33 percent of total detections.
Lower on the list are a host of much older mass mailer viruses, on their way to irrelevancy. These viruses only account for approximately six percent of total detections - more than half of which are a result of Netsky.P.
"By this point, I think it is safe to say that Netsky.P is the most widespread mass mailer virus of all time," said Dudea.
February Malware Chart
BitDefender’s February 2008 Top 10 malware list includes:| 1. | Packer.Malware.NSAnti.K | 37.07% |
| 2. | Trojan.Peed.Gen | 16.88% |
| 3. | Exploit.Win32.WMF-PFV | 5.33% |
| 4. | BehavesLike:Trojan.Downloader | 5.21% |
| 5. | Win32.Netsky.P@mm | 3.36% |
| 6. | Win32.Parite.B | 2.93% |
| 7. | Win32.NetSky.D@mm | 0.92% |
| 8. | Win32.Netsky.AA@mm | 0.88% |
| 9. | Win32.Nyxem.E@mm | 0.69% |
| 10. | Trojan.Pandex.G | 0.65% |
For further details on the latest malware detected in the wild, please visit BitDefender’s Defense Portal site.
About BitDefender®
BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe - giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide. More information about BitDefender and its products are available at the company’s security solutions press room. Additionally, BitDefender’s www.malwarecity.com provides background and the latest updates on security threats helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.