PRESS RELEASE
Keyloggers, spyware and rapidly mutating e-threats require cloud-based verification for efficiency
Bitdefender QuickScan, the free online malware detector created by the leading antivirus company, detected 100,000 infections on systems in the first quarter of this year, another indication of the accelerating growth of malware worldwide.
The infections were detected during checks of more than one million systems between the start of the year and the end of March, meaning 10 percent of the systems checked harboured a malware infection. The percentage serves as a reminder of the importance of checking systems regularly for malware.
Malware is growing not only ever more advanced, but is also undergoing a dramatic surge in the number of samples. Although they are at the forefront of malware detection and removal, traditional, signature-based antivirus utilities need help from the cloud to offer state-of-the art protection. The number of malware grows at a rate of 55,000 new unique malware samples per day, meaning a new e-threat is born every two seconds, according to AV-Test, the independent anti-virus testing organisation.
Among the top e-threats detected on users' computers by the cloud scanning service are the notorious Win32.Virtob, Win32.Ramnit and Win32.Sality, three families of file infectors that attach their code to any executable files on the computer. Of particular importance is the Sality botnet, which is composed of more than one million active computers worldwide, and is responsible for pushing spam, stealing passwords and attacking other users connected to the internet.
According to the QuickScan data, a significant part of the scanned computers have been rigged with keyloggers, surveillance applications that monitor keystrokes, websites visited and take screenshots of the user's desktop. Using a computer infected with a keylogger can result in privacy invasion, financial loss or even identity theft, which is why we recommend running QuickScan prior to logging into a public or shared computer.
Traditional, signature-based antivirus utilities have constantly proven that integration with the cloud enhances detection and minimises the time and resources needed for completing the scan job. The cloud-based QuickScan antivirus scanner can accurately detect active infections in less than 60 seconds. QuickScan is a pillar of all Bitdefender security solutions, but it's also available as a stand-alone utility for free at http://quickscan.bitdefender.com.
Source for the AV-Test data:
About Bitdefender®
Bitdefender is the creator of one of the world's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified internet security software. Since 2001, the company has been an industry pioneer, introducing and developing award-winning protection. Today, Bitdefender technology secures the digital experience of around 400 million home and corporate users across the globe.
Recently, the company has won a range of key independent recommendations in the US, UK and across Europe, including ConsumerSearch, Which?, Stiftung Warentest and Taenk. Bitdefender antivirus technology has also finished top in leading industry tests from both AV Test and AV-Comparatives. More information about Bitdefender's antivirus products is available from the company's security solutions press room. Additionally, Bitdefender publishes Malware City providing the latest updates on security threats and helping users stay informed in the everyday battle against malware.
