Americans sending us the most malware

 

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Posted on 3 Nov 2008 at 14:22

Cyber criminals from outside the EU are the most responsible for the internet threats we face in Britain. Seven out of the top 10 sources of malware are originating from outside the EU, new research reveals, and the US is the prime offender.

According to the latest analysis of web threats by security firm Network Box, the States is hanging onto its long-held crown as the biggest geographical source of both viruses and spam. The nation was found to account for 26.6 per cent of all viruses during October and September, and 15.4 per cent of all spam, slightly down on September's 16.8 per cent.

Phishing attacks were found to be down for the fifth month in a row, making up 17.8 per cent of all viruses in October 2008. This compares to 69 per cent at its height in June this year. However, phishers are cashing in on the current economic situation with bank-specific phishing attacks making up 6.2 per cent of all threats.

The report highlights the need for a global approach to internet security, and not just a UK or European approach, according to Simon Heron, technical director at Network Box.

"Cyber crime is international, not localised. We need an international approach and improved collaboration between governments. The UK needs to lead the way in doing more to work alongside governments outside of just the European Council member states. We're taking great steps in creating an e-crime unit, but unfortunately it's not enough to even begin to deal with the scale of global e-crime," Heron said.

Top ten sources of viruses

1.US: 26.59%
2.Korea: 8.07%
3.China: 6.31%
4.Australia: 5.16%
5.UK: 4.92%
6.Turkey: 3.58%
7.Russia: 3.09%
8.Brazil: 2.14%
9.Netherlands: 1.65%
10.Germany: 1.60%

Top ten sources of spam
1.US: 15.45%
2.Turkey: 8.37%
3.China: 5.97%
4.Australia: 5.27%
5.Russia: 4.59%
6.Korea: 4.50%
7.UK: 4.19%
8.Brazil: 3.80%
9.Spain: 3.78%
10.Thailand: 2.43%

Top ten sources of intrusions

1.Korea: 29.78%
2.US: 16.69%
3.Hong Kong: 8.08%
4.China: 6.64%
5.Malaysia: 4.20%
6.Australia: 3.05%
7.Brazil: 1.70%
8.Turkey: 1.70%
9.Russia: 1.65%
10.Argentina: 1.44%

Top ten viruses

1.spam.phish.url: 11.65%
2.backdoor.win32.ultimatedefender.tt: 10.74%
3.trojan-downloader.win32.agent.aggp: 6.53%
4.clm.html.phishing.bank-1272: 6.23%
5.can-2003-0161: 5.74%
6.spam.porn.spam_nb_porn_subj_csk_1: 4.70%
7.nbh-multext: 4.23%
8.trojan-spy.win32.goldun.bbg: 3.97%
9.trojan-dropper.win32.agent.xgg: 3.49%
10.trojan-dropper.win32.agent.xta: 2.80%

Author: Robert Jaques