Sophos, a world leader in IT security, has revealed the most prevalent malware threats and hoaxes causing problems for computer users around the world during November 2006.
The figures, compiled from Sophos's global network of monitoring stations, show that the Stratio-Zip worm has overtaken Netsky-P as the most widely circulated piece of malware, accounting for one-third of the total number of reports.
Sophos experts note that on the launch date of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, three of the top 10 - including Stratio-Zip - are capable of bypassing the product's security defences and infecting users' PCs.
The Vista-resistant malware - Stratio-Zip, Netsky-D and MyDoom-O - comprise 39.7% of all malware currently circulating.
The top 10 list of malware in November 2006 reads as follows:
1. Stratio-Zip 33.3%
2. Netsky-P 15.6%
3. Bagle-Zip 6.1%
4. Zafi-B 4.3%
5. Netsky-D 3.9%
6. Nyxem-D 2.5%
=6. MyDoom-O 2.5%
8. Mytob-C 2.4%
9. Sality-AA 1.8% (new entry)
10. Zafi-D 1.7%
Others 25.9%
Sophos tested each piece of malware in the top 10 on the Vista operating system to establish whether users running Vista without any third-party security software would avoid infection.
The results showed that while the Windows Mail e-mail client (Vista's upgrade of Outlook) was able to identify and halt all of the threats, Stratio-Zip, Netsky-D and MyDoom-O - each of which are commonly disseminated via e-mail - were able to bypass the defences when accessed via a third-party Web e-mail client.
This represents a serious issue for businesses who allow employees to access their personal e-mail at work, as well as for companies that are considering adopting an alternative e-mail client.
"There has been much speculation about whether Vista would render existing malware extinct, and the news is now in - it won't," says Brett Myroff, CEO of master Sophos distributor, NetXactics.
"Running separate security software is still essential to eliminate the risk of infection.
"Cyber criminals will also be looking at creating Vista-specific malware, and users need to think carefully about whether their current solution is going to offer sufficient protection against these emerging threats, given that some vendors continue to experience problems adapting their software for the Vista operating environment," he adds.
The proportion of infected e-mail continues to remain low, at just one in 357 (0.28%), while during November Sophos identified a record number of new threats - 7 612 - bringing the total number of malware protected against to 201 433.
The top 10 hoaxes and chain letters in November 2006 were as follows:
1. Hotmail hoax 7.7%
2. Olympic torch 7.2%
3. Budweiser frogs screensaver 6.3%
4. Parcel Delivery Service scam 4.9%
5. A virtual card for you 4.1%
6. Bonsai kitten 3.7%
7. Justice for Jamie 3%
8. MSN is closing down 2.8%
9. Meninas da Playboy 2.7%
10. Applebees Gift Certificate 2.7%
Others 54.9%
Graphics of the above top 10 virus chart are available at www.sophos.com/pressoffice/imggallery/topten/.
For more information about safe computing, including anti-hoax policies, please visit www.sophos.com/virusinfo/bestpractice/.
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Sophos is a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, developing protection against viruses, spyware, spam and policy abuse for business, education and government. Headquartered in the UK, Sophos's reliably engineered, easy-to-operate products protect more than 35 million users in more than 150 countries. Through 20 years' experience and a global network of threat analysis centres, the company responds rapidly to emerging threats - no matter how complex - and achieves the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry.
NetXactics
NetXactics is a South African-based company, focused on the provision of security solutions. It is the master distributor for UK-based Sophos Plc, one of the leaders in the provision of anti-virus and anti-spam software for the corporate environment. For more information, visit NetXactics at www.netxactics.co.za.
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