1Mobile Malware, Ransomware, Signed Binaries on the Rise, McAfee Finds
by Sean Michael Kerner
2Signed Malicious Binaries on the Rise
Malicious binaries increased over the course of 2013, particularly during the fourth quarter, McAfee Labs observed attackers digitally signing their code in an effort to trick users into thinking it was legitimate.
3New Mobile Malware Still Growing
Mobile malware continues to be a growing concern, though McAfee Labs reported fewer new mobile malware samples in the fourth quarter of 2013 than during the fourth quarter of 2012.
4Mobile Malware Wants to Know About You
Mobile malware has many different behaviors. The top behavior is to simply collect and send device telemetry and information without the mobile user’s knowledge or authorization.
5Ransomware Samples Doubled Year-Over-Year
Malware that holds users’ devices hostage for ransom (hence the term “ransomware”) became a significant problem in 2013. McAfee Labs reported that new ransomware samples doubled year-over-year in the fourth quarter.
6New Rootkit Malware on the Decline
Not all forms of malware are growing. McAfee Labs reported that rootkit malware—which is activated at the time an operating system boots up—is on the decline. In the fourth quarter, Rootkit malware declined 73 percent year-over-year.
7Most Network Attacks Target the Browser
According to McAfee Labs, the leading targets for network-based attacks are Web-browser vulnerabilities.
8The U.S. Is the Top Spam-Hosting Nation
When it comes to identifying the location of where phishing and spam Web addresses are located, the U.S tops the list.
9Cutnet is the World’s Top Spam Botnet
While the U.S. is the top nation for spam-hosting Web addresses, the Cutwall is the most prevalent spam botnet followed closely by Kelihos.