PC, Smartphone Threats At Four-Year High: McAfee

Since the start of the year, PC malware (malicious software) has already reached the highest levels in four years, according to the McAfee Threats Report: First Quarter 2012. The report exposes a disturbing increase in malicious malware across all PC, Mac and mobile devices. Most importantly, McAfee detected a significant increase in malware targeting Android platform devices. Mac attacks are also on the rise, indicating that total malware could reach the 100 million mark within the year – a record number.

Report Findings:

• 8,000 total mobile malware samples were collected showing a sharp increase during Q1 2012.

• Nearly 7,000 Android threats have been collected and identified through the end of Q1.

• Q1 2012 had the largest number of PC malware detected per quarter in the last four years - 83 million pieces of malware samples were collected by the end of Q1, up from 75 million samples at the end of Q4 2011.

• Mac malware is still significantly less prevalent than PC malware, with approximately 250 new Mac malware samples, and approximately 150 new Mac fake anti-virus malware samples in Q1.

• Global spam levels dropped to slightly more than 1 trillion monthly spam messages by the end of March.

“In the first quarter of 2012 we saw a giant spike in mobile malware, a jump targeting mostly the Android platform. What was once hundredsof threats in the middle of 2011, is already into the thousands,” said Robert Siciliano, online security threat expert at McAfee. “The majority of mobile attacks, and their malware, originate and attack third-party markets. Be sure to use and install software and applications only found on official marketplaces, this will help reduce the risk of compromising your Android device. At the end of the day, if you’re not protecting and taking care of your devices, and the data on them, today’s cybercriminals will.”