Russian malware bounces back

2010-07-01

Helen Martin

Virus Bulletin, UK

Editor: Helen Martin

Abstract

Malware originating from Russia is on the increase again.

According to a report by security firm Network Box, malware originating from Russia is on the increase again, placing the company back in the top four malware-producing countries. Last month saw a decline in malware coming out of Russia after the hosting service PROXIEZ-NET was taken down in mid May.

At the time of the PROXIEZ-NET take down, experts predicted that those who used the host for malicious purposes would be quick to switch to a different service, and this indeed appears to have been the case. A similar pattern was observed in malware originating from the US after the shutdown of the McColo service provider in 2008 – with production of threats from the US showing a dramatic drop initially, but returning to previous levels within a month.

According to the report, Russia is now responsible for 7.4% of the world’s malware, behind the US (13%), Korea (10.1%) and India (9.2%).

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