Web Security News

USA number 1 in malware

Friday, December 19, 2008

A new report has placed the U.S. at the top of the list for most websites hosting malware and the most computers relaying spam emails throughout the world.

The spot was previously held by China last year, but due to a multitude of innovative attacks by cybercriminals this year, the U.S. how holds approximately 37 percent of the malware on the web, NetworkWorld.com reports. China hosts 27.7 percent.

In terms of malware threats, SQL injection attacks against websites and the emergence of scareware were the biggest ones.

The U.S. also distributed the most spam emails than any other country with 17.5 percent. This may come as a surprise to some, given the McColo takedown last month, which assisted dropping the amount of spam by approximately 65 percent, according to the website.

As the year draws to an end, spam levels are almost at pre-takedown levels, rendering the McColo shutdown essentially inconsequential.

It also appears cybercriminals are poised to keep the U.S. websites as an unknowing accomplice to phishing attacks and identity thefts.

One of the predictions for 2009 is a rise in social network attacks, with phishers using the false-sense of security through "friend" messages that contain links to malicious code.