IT security and control firm, Sophos, has warned computer users not to be complacent about security amid concern that financially-motivated hackers are extending their efforts beyond Windows.
Targetting Apple
In a recently published Security Threat Report 2008, Sophos revealed that organised cybercriminal gangs had for the first time “arrived at Apple’s doorstep with the intention of stealing money.”
“Sophos experts note that malware for Macs has been seen before, but until recently, organised criminal gangs have not felt the need to target Mac users when there are so many more poorly protected Windows PCs available,” the firm said.
Apple specific malware
It said that in late 2007 however, financially-motivated hackers “who have recognised there is a viable and profitable market in infecting Macs alongside Windows PCs” had begun writing malicious software for Apple’s Mac.
For example, many versions of the malicious OSX/RSPlug Trojan horse, first seen in November 2007, were planted on websites designed to infect surfing Apple Mac computers for the purposes of phishing and identity theft, it said.
“No-one should underestimate the significance of financially-motivated malware arriving for Apple Macs at the end of 2007,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.
One Website Infected Every 14 Seconds
“Sophos experts are now discovering 6000 infected webpages every day – one every 14 seconds. 83 percent of these webpages actually belong to innocent companies and individuals, unaware that their sites have been hacked.
“Websites of all types, from antique dealers to ice cream manufacturers to wedding photographers have hosted malware on behalf of virus writers,” Sophos said.
The top ten list of malware found on the web in 2007:
Scary, huh?
And then China overtakes the United States
Meanwhile in 2007 China overtook the United States as the country responsible for hosting the most number of infected websites. In 2006, China was second after the US.
“Chinese computers, whether knowingly or not, are making a disturbingly large contribution to the problems of viruses and spam affecting all of us today,” said Cluley.
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