‘Malnets’ are surpassing botnets as the latest innovation in cyber infections, according to research from security vendor Blue Coat.
Malware delivery networks use compromised servers to spread malware toPCs when users click on infected links or click onto pages containingmalware during Internet searches. These malnets constantly shift theircommand and control systems so they’re tougher to shut down, unlikebotnets which are quashed as soon as the infected PC or its backup arerehabilitated or scrubbed.
Malnets have soared in the pastsix months, says security firm Blue Coat. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Even more worrisome, according to our source story from Techworld, BlueCoat says malnets make up two thirds of all cyberattacks today. BlueCoat isnow tracking 1,500 individual malnets, three times the amount it sawsix months ago. The firm also adds that most current security systemsaren’t equipped to deal with such malnets.
Blue Coat, unsurprisingly, puts in a good word for its own products,which block the rogue hosts of malware instead of just blocking themalware itself.
It also notes another new malware trend: threats are now being spreadmore often through a broad number of Internet search terms instead ofthrough popular terms coinciding with massive events like the Olympics.