Email viruses down by 50 per cent

The number of infected emails has plummeted by more than 50 per cent compared to the first half of 2006, according to the latest report from security software firm, Sophos.

Sophos said that the proportion of email infected by malware and viruses now stands at a new low of just 1-in-222, a percentage rating of just 0.45 per cent. This is a massive drop compared to the first six months of this year where the infected email rate stood at 1-in-9, or 1.1 per cent. However, users are being warned that this does not mean things are getting better.

The dramatic reduction is attributed to malware authors seeking new ways to infect, such as Trojan Horse targeted attacks aimed at smaller groups. These are often used to spam out links to malicious websites or to steal money and identities.

The Netsky-P worm, first detected in March 2004, remains the most widespread piece of malware. For July, 3,715 new threats were identified, comprised of Trojan horses (87 per cent) and worms or viruses (13 per cent).

“At a glance, the drop in the proportion of virus infected email may be misread as a sign that email is now a safer medium, but computer users and businesses shouldn't be fooled,” explained Carole Theriault, senior security consultant at Sophos.

The reality is that the number of new threats is increasing by thousands each month. While there may be fewer viruses and worms in the email, hackers are spamming out messages that link to malicious websites where Trojan horses lie and wait for innocent victims. If businesses don't defend themselves they put their data, money and productivity levels at risk.”

Find the Top Ten Malware Chart here.