Potentially Unwanted Applications

We’ve had a number of people contacting us with queries about ‘Kaspersky Lab Antivirus Online’ after their computer showed them the ransom message.

As in previous months, this malware rating is compiled from data generated by the Kaspersky Security Network (KSN). However, slightly different methods have been used to select and analyze the data.

We just described what happens on Kido controlled machines when the spambot Iksmas is installed and launched. However, Kido is also downloading a fake antivirus named SpywareProtect2009.

Last night the Kido (aka Conficker/ Downadup) botnet kicked into action – what everyone’s been on the lookout for since 1st April.

Today we detected a new potentially unwanted program for smartphones running Symbian S60 2nd edition – not-a-virus:Porn-Dialer.SymbOS.Pornidal.a

Criminals are using the Kido/ Conficker hype to bring their rogue Anti-Virus amongst the people.

Unexpected redirects

In its second month of compiling data, the new Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) technology revealed some significant changes amongst the most widespread malicious programs.

The format of the ‘Virus Top Twenty’ reports from Kaspersky Lab has changed as of July 2008

This month a total of 3 malicious programs for non-Windows platforms appeared out of nowhere.

Just the other day I found a browser plug-in on BitRoad dot net that people can download and use as a tool to download e-books. And yes…it was AdWare.Win32.Kitsune.f.

This annual report provides an overview the evolution of malware, adware and potentially malicious programs in 2007, and compares this data to that of 2006.

Over the last couple of days I’ve been looking at some of the latest tricks used by the creators of some adware – Virtumonde a.k.a Vundo.

This report surveys the evolution of malicious code in 2006, providing statistics on the increase in various types of malicious program, and an overview of significant trends.

Monitoring software made in Switzerland