In 2007, an increase in email virus attacks is predicted

The most widespread viruses in 2006 were again those distributed via email, with the top 10 such viruses accounting for 55 percent of the total number of all viruses detected by BitDefender. The notorious Netsky leads the list of the most widespread viruses and is responsible for 13 percent of all ‘infections’ during 2006, while the Nyxem.E virus is the second most widespread.

All indicators suggest that there will be an increase in email attacks during 2007, with new viruses hidden within emails related to the latest news on political, economic, and social topics. Among the recently discovered ‘infectious’ emails are those concerning new revelations about Saddam Hussein, storms threatening Europe, or the alleged death of Putin. This continues the practice of hackers attempting to attract the attention of email users with sensational news and convincing them to download email attachments, thereby allowing them to infiltrate their computers.   

Recent research predicts that textless spam emails with images attached will account for 50 percent of total global spam emails in 2007. Currently, most anti-spam solutions provide no protection against this phenomenon. When it comes to malware, it will spread primarily by exploiting Office applications and online communication tools like MySpace and YouTube. These abuses, combined with rootkit applications, can result in the spread of spyware. The vulnerability of Office-type applications will be the main vectors for attacks on corporations, and an increasing number of attacks on specific targets is also anticipated.

Additionally, during 2007, there will be an increasing number of already infected computer applications on the market. This is often the case when hackers, under the guise of wanting to contribute to user security, hide viruses or spyware in application codes. “BitDefender’s experts proactively analyze all potential future threats, and our technologies are developed to be constantly ready and capable of preventing such attacks. The most comprehensive BitDefender desktop solution, BitDefender Internet Security, includes antivirus, antiphishing, antirootkit, antispyware, parental control, firewall, and antispam modules, with the latter providing protection against image-based spam,” stated Bogdan Dumitru, BitDefender CTO.