PCs still prevalent target for malware authors: Report

The Quick Heal Annual Windows and Mobile Malware Report, 2012, released by Quick Heal Technologies says PCs are still the the prevalent target for malware authors while there has been growth in malware, especially targeting the mobile platform.

 

                      

Even as smartphones have emerged as the new targets for cybercriminals, PCs are still the 'prevalent' target for malware authors, suggests a new report prepared by Quick Heal Technologies.

The report titled 'Quick Heal Annual Windows and Mobile Malware Report, 2012' suggests cybercriminals have continued to run on the loose in the country with Windows malware reporting a surge of about 90 percent, and a whopping surge of 170 percent in modifications.

The mobile devices have also continued to be targeted. According to the report, virus attacks in the mobile space have surged 30 percent in 2012 and 80 percent surge in its modifications. The Internet is still the most conventional way of spreading malware.

The report further notes a consistent surge in the number of malware attacks on the Google's Android platform whereas the mobile apps have become the easiest targets.

Commenting on the findings of the research, Sanjay Katkar, technical director and CTO, Quick Heal Technologies, said: "Windows is still the most attacked Operating System. 2012 saw numerous attacks that were devised for Windows vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals have leveraged zero-day exploits even more effectively with new software patterns and business models".

A recent report had suggested the growing usages of mobile communication devices and an 'overlap of work and personal data' posed an increased threat of data theft and other malware attacks in the coming year.

According to the report, the governments will have to enter the cyber warfare arena, while there could be surge in timed and targeted spear-phishing e-mail attacks, and malicious e-mail attachments.

Also, a study conducted by Imperva revealed major antivirus software are far less effective than expected. Read our coverage on the Imperva study here.