Central Command: Top 12 Viruses For August 2002
W32/Yaha.E Dethrones Worm/Klez.E Taking Top Spot, KaZaa And Other File-Sharing Users Still At Risk
Central Command, a leading
provider of PC anti-virus software and computer security services today released its monthly listing of the top twelve viruses reported for August, 2002. The report, coined the “Dirty Dozen”, is based on the number of virus occurrences confirmed through Central Command’s Emergency Virus Response Team.
The table below represents the most prevalent viruses for August 2002, number one being the most frequent.
Ranking Virus Name Percentage
1. W32/Yaha.E 33.8%
2. Worm/Klez.E (includes G variant) 31.0%
3. Worm/W32.Sircam 8.9%
4. W32/Elkern.C 8.8%
5. W32/Magistr.B 3.1%
6. W32/Nimda 1.9%
7. W95/Hybris 1.7%
8. W32/Magistr.A 1.4%
9. W32/Funlove 1.1%
10. Worm/Badtrans.B 0.8%
11. W95/CIH 0.8%
12. W95/Spaces 0.7%
Others 6.0%
“After five months, we have finally seen a switch at the top as W32/Yaha.E surpasses Klez securing the pole position,” said Steven Sundermeier product manager at Central Command, Inc. W32/Yaha.E arrives with a randomly selected subject line likely associated with a love or friendship based theme. It spreads itself through email, as well as, by exploiting holes in MSN Messenger and ICQ instant messaging. “Peer-2-Peer networks like ICQ and MSN Messenger in conjunction with file sharing networks like Napster and KaZaa are beginning to play a pivotal role in the distribution of this latest breed of viruses in 2002.”
Other worms targeting file sharing networks for the month of August include: Worm/P2P.Duload.A, Worm/P2P.Sambud.A, Worm/P2P.Sambud.B, and TR/Bat.Dolomite. A complete list can be read at: (www.centralcommand.com/virus_descriptions.html)
Vexira Antivirus has been updated for 612 different viruses, worms and other malicious applications during the month of August 2002.
Vexira Antivirus starts at $39.95, and a free 30-day trial version may be downloaded from (www.centralcommand.com) or obtained by contacting Central Command at +1-330 723-2062.