Worms still number one security threat

Worms made up more than 70 per cent of malware in February, according to antivirus specialists.

MyDoom.A and Sober C topped the infections charts for the month, with most of the Bagel and Netsky variants arriving too late in the day to register in the top 10.

"Once again, worms remain the main threat we are facing," said David Kopp, head of TrendLabs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

"There is still a significant lack of awareness regarding current internet security threats.

"Companies can significantly reduce the risk of becoming infected by putting into place some kind of aggressive security awareness campaign."

While Sober C and MyDoom.A dominate the charts, Lovegate and its variants are also still widespread. All these viruses arrive in infected attachments and must be activated by the target.

"You cannot excuse virus writers, but we could do more ourselves," said Professor Neil Barrett, technical director at Information Risk Management.

"All of the current big name viruses rely on the target being curious enough to open the attachment. If in doubt, don't."

See also:

Worms to cost European ISPs £188m

Broadband providers face expensive battle against attacks over coming year  28 May 2004

Combating spyware

These days companies are using increasingly intrusive techniques to get hold of your details and snoop on your surfing habits. We show you how to hit back.  27 May 2004

Bugwatch: Worm wars

Netsky and Bagle: the saga continues  13 May 2004

Sober variant set to cause trouble

Heightened risk assessment for Sober.f strain spotted in the wild  05 Apr 2004

New worm masquerades as Microsoft update

Sober variant employs latest social engineering technique  08 Mar 2004

Shut window on viruses

A DTI survey has highlighted that firms are increasingly at risk from rapidly-spreading viruses and worms  04 Mar 2004

Virus writers stage online slanging match

It's cyber-handbags at dawn as worm authors turn on each other  03 Mar 2004

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