Computer and Library Learning (Archived)

In early September 2012, McAfee issued its second
quarter threats report for 2012 in which McAfee
Labs identified over 8 million new types of malware, an increase of 1.5
million or 23% over the first quarter of 2012. The report also identified new
emerging threats such as mobile drive-by
downloads, using Twitter to control mobile botnets
(by taking advantage of unpatched exploits or vulnerabilities to enable hackers
to gain root command access and control over mobile devices), and the proliferation
of ransomware
onto mobile devices (when the device owners are coerced into paying a “ransom”
in order to remove the restrictions placed on the device by this type of
malware).

Most
of the mobile malware was directed at Android OS-devices and made up of
Trojans, spyware, mobile botnets, and SMS-sending malware. The Flashback Trojan
affected Mac OS X devices. Consequently, Windows PCs remained the largest
target base but declined numerically as malware
spread to mobile devices up to some 13,000 thus far in 2012 compared to less
than 2,000 in 2011.

The McAfee
Threats Report also noted the continuing downward trend of spam levels (in
spite of a small increase in the second quarter) but emphasized the dangerous
nature of spam and targeted spear
phishing attacks (which appear to come from trusted sources but are seeking
access to confidential data for financial or other gain). The first quarter
report reported stunted growth in messaging botnets but
the second quarter report showed a 12-month high in botnet infections which helped to drive spam
activities. The top 3 messaging botnets continued to be Cutwail, Grum, and Lethic.

(See also: Norton Cybercrime Report 2012: Where Does Canada Fit
In? )