As more and more people in India are
using the internet and relying on
emails to stay in touch with friends
and family, their computers are facing
an increasing threat from virus.
A recent study has shown that one in
every 28 e-mails reaching India is
being infected by virus.
The study by MessageLabs, a provider
of messaging security and management
services, reveals that malicious
websites are on the rise.
A new virus, StormWorm, which uses
virtual postcards and YouTube video
for its attack, is affecting
computers.
According to the MessageLabs study,
1.8 million computers have been
affected by the StormWorm worldwide.
In August 2007, India was the most
vulnerable region in virus attacks –
with one in every 27.8 e-mails having
been infected. However, during this
period, spam attacks (or, unsolicited,
bulk e-mails), accounted for only
29.5% of the total e-mails received.
The study also found that there was a
rise in e-mails containing links to
virtual postcards and YouTube video
invites. On August 15, 2007, which
marked the 60th anniversary of India’s
independence, there was a significant
outbreak of new malicious websites
comprising 600,000 e-mails, which were
distributed in just 24 hours.
As a result of the latest StormWorm
activity, the number of e-mails which
contained links to malicious code
increased to 19.5% in August 2007, a
rise of 19% from just 0.5%% in July
2007.
The study by MessageLabs also brought
to light the steep rise in the number
of new malicious websites appearing
every day. In August 2007, a daily
average of 1,772 such new sites were
identified and blocked, an average
increase of 783 a day since July 2007.
