Sophos Issues Six-Month Summary of Worldwide Virus Activity
Sophos, a world leader in corporate anti-virus solutions, today announced that it has detected and protected against 6,127 new viruses in the first six months of 2001. In the same period, calls to Sophos's customer helpdesk suggested that those viruses which demanded the most media attention, were not necessarily those causing the biggest problem.
Sophos's research highlights the importance of safe computing practices and the need to keep anti-virus software up to date. For the first six months of 2001, the top ten viruses (as recorded by Sophos's helpdesk) are as follows..... Record Number of New Viruses Detected and Protected by
Sophos in the Last Six Months
1. W32/Magistr-A 12.7% (Magistr)
2. VBS/VBSWG-X 11.9% (Homepage)
3. W32/Apology-B 10.1% (Apology)
4. W32/Hybris-B 9.3% (Hybris variant)
5. VBS/SST-A 7.0% (Anna Kournikova)
6. VBS/Kakworm 6.7% (Kakworm)
7. W32/Navidad-B 6.1% (Navidad variant)
8. W32/Badtrans 3.8% (Badtrans)
9. W32/Flcss 2.2% (Funlove)
10. VBS/Lovelet-AS 1.8% (Lovebug)
Others: 28.4%
"The highly destructive Magistr worm accounted for more reports to our
support desk than higher profile viruses such as Homepage and Anna
Kournikova," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos Anti-
Virus. "Magistr sends itself using emails with randomly generated subject
lines and text, making it difficult for some people to spot - its dominance
underlies the fact that users are persisting in opening unsolicited
attachments. However, if you are using up-to-date anti-virus software you
should have no problems with this virus."
In runner-up position the Homepage worm spread rapidly around the world in
May 2001, redirecting infected users to pornographic websites. At number
three in the chart is the Apology worm, this is particularly devious since it
prevents access to websites containing anti-virus information, and blocks
emails to anti-virus companies, another reminder that users should regularly
update their AV software.
Despite the media frenzy surrounding its arrival, the Anna Kournikova worm
came only fifth in the top ten, accounting for 7% of all calls. The Kournikova
worm proved to be something of a "shooting star", infecting millions of people
over a few days, but rapidly dying away.
Other developments in the first six months of 2001 included:
-- The detection of the first viruses (FunnyFile and Choke) to attack
instant messaging services highlighted the need for increased user
vigilance and for businesses to remember the importance of desktop
anti-virus software.
-- Virus hoaxes continued to cause panic with threats of the SULFNBK
'virus' striking on 1st June 2001. Sophos urges computer users to
double-check whether a virus warning is genuine or not by visiting a
recognized anti-virus website for confirmation.
-- The news in June that the suspected author of the Kournikova worm is to
face prosecution in the Netherlands represents a positive indication
that the authorities are prepared to take action against those
responsible for virus distribution.
-- The emergence of the Ramen worm in the wild during January reminded
Linux users that they are not immune to virus attack.
About Sophos
Sophos is one of the world's largest specialist developers of anti-virus
software. The products are sold and supported through a global network of
subsidiaries and partners in more than 120 countries. Sophos Anti-Virus is
widely used by large corporations, banks, governments and academic
institutions.
For further information, contact Sophos at 50-S Audubon Road, Wakefield,
MA 01880, telephone: 1-888-SOPHOS-9, fax: 781-213-5466 or visit the Sophos Web
site at http://www.sophos.com.
Note: Sophos offers journalists a free Sophos Anti-Virus subscription. For
more information, contact Joanne Hogue at 410-642-3344.
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SOURCE Sophos
Web Site: http://www.sophos.com
CONTACT: Jennifer Torode of Sophos, Inc., +1-781-213-3456, ext.
101, or jennifer.torode@sophos.com; or Joanne Hogue of LVA
Communications, +1-410-642-3344, or joanne@lva.com
