Malware infections dropped drastically in the first half of 2016

[Exterminator]

Malware infections have dropped drastically in the first half of 2016, according to a new report by cybersecurity software provider Enigma Software.

Enigma analyzed 30 million infected computers, and found that while malware and ransomware infections still remained at an all-time high relative to previous years, the rate of malware infections had dropped 47.3% compared to the first half of 2015.

Enigma also found that June 2016 saw the lowest rate of malware infections in over three years, since April 2013. While this news speaks positively to the ability for cybersecurity and SaaS providers to adapt to new threats and release security patches for threatening trojans and viruses, malware infections have consistently trended upward over the past several years.

"We believe current web browsers and anti-malware software have become much more effective at blocking potential malware before it even gets onto computers," said Ryan Gerding, an independent PR executive and Enigma's current spokesperson.

"We believe there are a number of factors that are causing a drop in overall infections detected by [Enigma's anti-virus software] SpyHunter," said Gerding. "First, people are relying more than ever on their mobile devices to do a growing number of internet tasks. PCs are still incredibly important, but as more work is done on mobile devices, that reduces time spent on PCs, which reduces infections."

"Second, we believe consumers have become more aware of some of the common mistakes that lead to the more common infections: adware, potentially unwanted programs, and toolbars," said Gerding. "Each of these types of infections are commonly bundled into other software when computer users download programs online. We think a growing number of people have become more aware of this practice and are more wary of accidentally installing the unwanted software."

As we've reported over the past several months, ransomware infections have been on the rise for years. This growing cybersecurity threat prompted Justin Luna to write an editorial detailing the potential compromises from ransomware software, and the security woes it may pose to infected users.

According to Gerding, ransomware infections comprise an increasingly large percentage of malware infections, and this may pose a significant threat to end-users.

"Ransomware infections make up a tiny fraction of all infections," Gerding said. "Our concern is that, while small, their overall share of the infection pie is growing. In fact, if you looked at the percentage of infections made up by ransomware in 2016, you would see a 119% spike from 2015. To us, this means malware makers may be shifting their attention to less common, but much more costly infections like ransomware.”

According to Gerding, while raw infections dropped in June 2016, this may be due in part to a string of arrests by Russian authorities of high-profile hackers who targeted thousands of systems with malware, earning over 1.7 billion rubles ($25 million). While these hackers now face prison time, many more opportunists will flood in to take their place, and malware infections could be on the rise again very soon.

Source: Enigma Software

Ahh what do you know,some good news on the malware front for a change!!!

 

[Dave Russo]

Silence before the storm?

 

[kaddy]

it is enigma or spyhunter right? They uh, aren't the most reputable after all. Their lack of detection may be, it is spyhunter and it is terrible, lol. On a side note, if they actually do better than they are thought to, then this is good news. Of course, I suspect, malware has become more complex, and tends to not stay on the system longer than it has to, unless it is making a botnet. Prevents detection, and Causes confusion as to when the attack took place.

 

[bunchuu]

is this enigma software who sued bleeping computer? I think they are not trustworthy.

 

[DJ Panda]

Sweet any news is good news! (If its actually good. )

 

[ravi prakash saini]

Malware infection dropped drastically or our ability to recognize them dropped drastically

 

[simbelmayne]

C'mon guys, it's Enigma! There is not a word about where they gor these numbers, just a statement. It's not serious.

 

[TwinHeadedEagle]

While Enigma has some really bad things in their portfolio, they are right about this one. I think every malware developer now does ransomware and that is why we have malware infection rate decreased.

 

[ravi prakash saini]

But it is more dangerous situation ,right now we know , nowadays,they are busy writing ransomware ,however ,in malware department we don't know what they are up to until they strike back

 

[jamescv7]

Simply because the concept of threats goes on the latest trends already, so income/revenues will generate immediately.

It is also a risk for them if they go on something which considered least impact of attacks, other than ransomware.

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Meanwhile Enigma as software developer can be questionable but as research group then it's accurate on providing information.

 

[StriderHunterX]

*Reads topic title and clicks link*

Now more than ever,we can't let our guard down.I'm a paranoid lately and having enough security is...never enough.I'll keep scouring the webs for AntiMalware and AntiRansomware info....

*Resumes Image Schedule on Corporate PC's...*