2011 statistics: INF/Autorun leads the malware; HTML/ScrInject.B.Gen top threat in DecemberESET, the leader in proactive protection against cyber-threats, advises on the latest Facebook threat. If you use this social network, you have probably heard of Timeline, a "new" feature that replaces the "traditional" profile page. “However, as a new user, you may be confused by Timeline and confusion could make you the target of a growing number of Timeline-related scams,” says ESET Security Evangelist Stephen Cobb.“As I understand it, the day is coming when every Facebook user will have to use Timeline. I'm thinking that day is when the confusion will really snowball because a lot of people will decide they don't like Timeline and wonder to themselves: Can I remove Timeline? And the scam artists and click-jackers are getting ready for that day, offering bogus links on Facebook that promise Timeline removal,” warns Cobb. As of today there are already several cases of these types of scam. For example, here you can see one such bogus Facebook page that wants you to click the "Like" before continuing. In fact, the page is all about "liking" and one of the steps it requires as part of this bogus Timeline removal is a grid of 45 Like buttons you must click. After several other steps, including invotation to all your friends to give a like to the page, you get this message: "Wait For Few Days Your Request Will be forwarded To The Timeline Office"(original wording and capitalization)”.
So far, Facebook has not been able to keep up with the policing of these scams, making it clear that the feature cannot be removed. “Unless Facebook changes its mind and makes Timeline optional, the bottom line is that you will have to live with it and avoid the temptation to click on links promising to help you deactivate, remove, or disable Timeline; they are just not worth the risk,” advises Cobb.Moving down the list of malware threats, every month ESET compiles a statistic based on its Live Grid® feature - ESET’s cloud-based malware collection system utilizing data from users of ESET solutions worldwide. Every month for the last several months, removable media malware has topped the stats. INF/Autorun topped the annual statistics (5.84%). Number two was Win32/Conficker (3.69%). The global threat number three Win32/Sality reached a 1.88% infection rate.In European December statistics, HTML/ScrInject.B.Gen, which automatically redirects the user to the malware download, jumped rather dramatically to 8.83% (in December number one globally with 6.16%), while INF/Autorun was number two in Europe with 3.46% (4.42% infection rate globally). The threat dubbed as HTML/Iframe.B was third with an infection rate of 2.48% in Europe (2.11% globally).Global Threats According to ESET Live Grid® Statistics (Annual 2011)
Global Threats According to ESET Live Grid® Statistics (December 2011)
Threats in Europe According to ESET Live Grid® Statistics (December2011)
About Live Grid®
Live Grid® is ESET’s cloud-based malware collection system utilizing data from users of ESET solutions worldwide. This continual streaming of information provides ESET Malware Lab specialists with real-time accurate snapshot of the nature and scope of global infiltrations. Careful analysis of the threats, attack vectors and patterns serves ESET to fine-tune all heuristic and signature updates ̶ to protect its users against tomorrow’s threats.
About ESET
Founded in 1992, ESET is a global provider of security solutions for businesses and consumers. The Company pioneered, and continues to lead, the industry in proactive threat detection. ESET NOD32 Antivirus holds the world record for the number of Virus Bulletin "VB100” Awards, and has never missed a single “In-the-Wild” worm or virus since the inception of testing in 1998. ESET NOD32 Antivirus, ESET Smart Security and ESET Cybersecurity for Mac are trusted by millions of global users and are among the most recommended security solutions in the world.
The Company has global headquarters in Bratislava (Slovakia), with regional distribution centers in San Diego (U.S.), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Singapore. ESET has malware research centers in Bratislava, San Diego, Buenos Aires, Prague (Czech Republic), Krakow (Poland), Montreal (Canada), Moscow (Russia), and an extensive partner network for 180 countries.