Malware Expected to Set Records This Year

Security firm McAfee has identified more than 1.2 million different types of malware in the first half of 2009.

Artwork: Chip TaylorMcAfee said that this is over double the 500,000 unqiue pieces of malware it identified in the same period in 2008. In total, the security firm identified 1.5 milliion types of malware in 2008, and it expects the 2009 figure to top this.

"In the first half of 2009, we have seen about three times the unique malware discovered in the same period in 2008," said Dave Marcus, director of security research and communications at McAfee.

"This tremendous growth is a signal of daunting times for users, as malware infiltrates more and more of the platforms we trust."

McAfee also revealed that around 40 percent of all password-stealing Trojans can be found on websites connected to gaming and virtual worlds, while 80 percent of all banking e-mail recieved by Web users are phishing scams.

McAfee also said on average victim's of phishing scams lose £520 per scam.

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See also: Trojans responsible for 75% of new malware