Exploits, Adware & Spyware Dominate The Landscape Report For H1 2012 2548

Payment institutions and online shops are the favorite targets for phishers, Android users face Adware & spyware challenge

Bitdefender, the award-winning provider of innovative antivirus solutions, announces the publication of its H1 2012 E-Threat Landscape Report, a comprehensive study of global malware, spam and phishing trends.

According to the six-month study by Bitdefender labs, exploits, adware and spyware are the fastest-growing categories of malware: while exploits grew 10.76 from 20.8 percent in the first half, and adware and spyware more than doubled.

The report offers a comprehensive view of the spam and phishing landscape between January and June 2012. Although the spam count dropped nearly 5 percent from the second half of 2011, it became more dangerous with the increase of malware-bundled attachments.

“Cyber-criminals seem to go have gone back to their origins in the first half of 2012, as their primary focus is direct financial gain,” said Bitdefender Chief Security Researcher Catalin Cosoi. “Adware and spyware bundles are more prominent than ever both on PCs and Android-powered smartphones. To cyber-crooks, they represent easy money and a possible way to dodge accusations of abuse, if charged.”

The full report can be downloaded for free here.

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