[lotuseclat79]

Article here.

The number of malicious programs found online has reached an unprecedented high, say security firms (Panda, AV Test, F-Secure).



-- Tom

[smeegle]

I often wondered who comes up with these malicious programs. Miserable people who want to make others miserable or would be computer geniuses who didn't get a job that they wanted so bad.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by smeegle

I often wondered who comes up with these malicious programs. Miserable people who want to make others miserable or would be computer geniuses who didn't get a job that they wanted so bad.

Norton, McAfee, and anyone else who benefits would be my guess.
People looking to get into these organizations. "Not only can I break it, I can fix it."
Kids.

[sup2a]

yea it seems really pointless to me....these people ruin other peoples lives in some cases, is it because of deep problems? i really have to say these people have the brains to do good just like so many of the pple here helping others for free! half the time helping people with these programs!!! its hopeless!!!

NOW THAT! is a very interesting theory and it makes a bit of sense too... seems like a bit of a waste of time however

[TOGG]

Some uncharitable people even go so far as to suggest that there could be a link between the issue of XP SP2 and the dramatic increase in malware; http://www.rixstep.com/1/20080208,00.shtml

Shame on them!!

[ferrija1]

Originally Posted by smeegle

I often wondered who comes up with these malicious programs. Miserable people who want to make others miserable or would be computer geniuses who didn't get a job that they wanted so bad.

Most people do it for money. Some people (many in Russia) create "kits" that you can use to take control of computers and hack them. Others send out spam for thousands of dollars or put ads on your computer for a certain product. The number of "old school" hackers who write viruses for fun or for bragging writes is diminishing quickly.

[Byteman]

There is one piece (probably more by now) of malware I came across helping here in forums....that hijacks the owner's data, and demands around $200 to be deposited in an electronic funds transfer... then, the malicious gang of thieves will provide a key code to "unlock" your hijackted files. Many of those infected do end up paying....

Quite a bit of the current malware we see is designed to pass data, like credit card, other financial data on to others.

Others steal game and CD keys, passwords, and the like.

There are a great deal of different types of malware these days, from bugging MSN messenger users, AIM users... all the way up to creating zombie computer "armies" that send spam all over the world.

The sheer number of folks we see that have one infection or another here at TSG is indicative of the problem that is sharply on the upswing, just as the chart posted shows.

Also, we've been seeing a huge increase in questions about computer security, what apps to use, how to set things up to be safe....

There does NOT seem to be any decrease, in P2P filesharing usage, and this is one of the easiest ways to get infected if you are not very very careful.

As more and more people are so actively using Instant Messaging, email, filesharing, and the Internet in general--- things are bound to continue as they seem to be now.

At least, some of the purveryors of malware are getting caught- but there is little we can do about those in Third World countries.

[sup2a]

yea... preatty serious stuff... watching things like ACA or of the sort news shows some of the things people do... i believe all people young or old should be trained at least to a standard where they can recognise a problem/scam... being young myself self teaching and helping/getting helped on a forum like this has greatly increased my knowledge and i have been able to identify credit card scams and problems... and id hate to say it but my family has had major problems with theft and scams over the internet when im not watching! (hehe) if everyone had a basic understanding of the dangers of putting credit cards, passwords, banking accounts over the internet i believe the problem wouldnt be AS bad.....

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by Byteman

There is one piece (probably more by now) of malware I came across helping here in forums....that hijacks the owner's data, and demands around $200 to be deposited in an electronic funds transfer... then, the malicious gang of thieves will provide a key code to "unlock" your hijackted files. Many of those infected do end up paying....

Quite a bit of the current malware we see is designed to pass data, like credit card, other financial data on to others.

Others steal game and CD keys, passwords, and the like.

There are a great deal of different types of malware these days, from bugging MSN messenger users, AIM users... all the way up to creating zombie computer "armies" that send spam all over the world.

The sheer number of folks we see that have one infection or another here at TSG is indicative of the problem that is sharply on the upswing, just as the chart posted shows.

Also, we've been seeing a huge increase in questions about computer security, what apps to use, how to set things up to be safe....

There does NOT seem to be any decrease, in P2P filesharing usage, and this is one of the easiest ways to get infected if you are not very very careful.

As more and more people are so actively using Instant Messaging, email, filesharing, and the Internet in general--- things are bound to continue as they seem to be now.

At least, some of the purveryors of malware are getting caught- but there is little we can do about those in Third World countries.

Very informative, thank-you.

Would just like to add that I have never had a problem with P2P and I suspect anything bad associated with them is from people downloading movies, music, applications and other things that should have been paid for in the first place. Beggars can't be choosers.