Sophos Reveals Top Ten Viruses for November Including Three Malware That Run on Microsoft Vista2 December 2006
Sophos, a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, today announced the top ten viruses plaguing computer users worldwide during November 2006. The data, compiled from Sophos's global network of security research centers, indicated that the Stratio-Zip worm overtook Netsky-P as the most widely circulated piece of malware, accounting for one third of the total threats reported. Sophos experts also noted that Stratio-Zip and other malware can affect Microsoft Vista users operating public email clients -- reaffirming the need for compatible third-party security solutions.
Sophos's recently released Sophos Anti-Virus for Windows, version 6.5, is the industry's only Vista-compatible third-party security solution available today. Ensuring the reliability of that product, Sophos conducts Sophos Anti- Virus malware testing on Vista and other systems. The results show that while Vista's upgraded email client Windows Mail identifies and halts all of the top ten threats, Stratio-Zip, Netsky-D and MyDoom-O can bypass defenses when accessed via a third part web email client.
Typically spread through email, the three Vista-resistant threats comprise 39.7 percent of all malware currently circulating. The complete November 2006 top ten malware list includes:
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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%
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"No operating system is 100 percent secure as a stand alone system, as end users utilize various alternative applications such as independent email clients, instant messaging, file sharing and more that open new doors for hackers," said Ron O'Brien, senior security analyst at Sophos. "While Microsoft should be commended for the huge security improvements offered by Vista, every organization should supplement their systems with compatible technology that defends against hackers at all entry points.
"It won't be long before cyber criminals develop Vista-specific malware or modify current threats to fit the bill. The Stratio-Zip worm, for example, remains on the top ten list due to constant, minor alterations to its code that force security systems to re-identify the malware," added O'Brien.
The proportion of infected email continues to remain low, at just one in 357 (0.28 percent), while during November Sophos identified a record number of new threats-7,612-bringing the total number of malware protected against to 201,433.
Graphics of the above top ten virus chart are available at http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/imggallery/topten/.
For more information about safe computing, including anti-hoax policies, please visit: http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/bestpractice/.
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About Sophos
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Sophos is a world leader in integrated threat management solutions, protecting against known and unknown malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam and policy abuse for business, education and government. 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 centers, the company responds rapidly to emerging threats -- no matter how complex -- and achieves the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the industry. Sophos is a global company co- headquartered in Burlington, Mass., and Oxford, UK. For more information on Sophos, visit http://www.sophos.com.
Notes: Sophos makes available free, constantly updated information about the latest malware and security news via a series of RSS feeds. Visit http://www.sophos.com/feeds for more information.
Notes: Free anti-virus protection is available for journalists. For more information on applying for this service, please visit: http://www.sophos.com/pressprotection
For More Information Contact:
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Lisa Coulouris Jennifer Torode
Racepoint Group Sophos, Inc.
(781) 487-4612 (781) 494-5885
lcoulouris@racepointgroup.com jennifer.torode@sophos.com
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For further information: Lisa Coulouris of Racepoint Group, +1-781-487-4612, lcoulouris@racepointgroup.com; or Jennifer Torode of Sophos, Inc., +1-781- 494-5885, jennifer.torode@sophos.com Web Site: http://www.sophos.com/
Source: newswire
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