Most of the rise in cybercrime can be linked to data-stealing malware, and trojans are the fastest growing category, according to a report released Monday by Trend Micro.
For example, in 2007, 52 percent of data-stealing malware were trojans; in 2008, that number increased to 87 percent, according to the report, titled Focus Report: Data Stealing Malware.
As of the first quarter of 2009, 93 percent of data-stealing malware were trojans.
In addition, trojans and trojan spyware are the predominant type of data-stealing malware in every region monitored by TrendLabs, Trend Micro's research arm, which includes Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Europe.
“Virtually anyone with a computer and internet access can wreak havoc,” said Paul Ferguson, senior threat researcher at TrendLabs, in a statement.
The data-stealing malware problem strikes small-to-medium businesses particularly hard, Ferguson saidNews 8 months ago
