File Infectors Replace Mass E-mailed Viruses as Biggest Threats in BitDefender Lab's Top 10 Malware Chart for May 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BitDefender®, an award-winning provider of antivirus software and data security solutions, announced today its top 10 malware threats of May 2007. Among the trends found, BitDefender Labs saw that file infectors replaced the mass e-mailed viruses that were a concern in the first quarter. Only the Netsky.P virus (with a mere 3.82% of machines reporting it) remained in this category of malware in this month’s list.

“Despite this reduction, BitDefender is committed to tracking and consistently staying ahead of these malware trends to offer our customers and partners the most trusted brand of security solutions available.”

BitDefender’s May malware chart lists some surprises – including the emergence of

Puce.G, a new P2P worm which spreads itself and infects files through popular file-sharing software. Puce.G currently stands in first place on the BitDefender chart with 10.31% of total reports. Version B of this worm topped the BitDefender Labs malware chart for October 2006.

Another troubling new entry, at number five in BitDefender’s list of top malware is the Jeefo.A file infector, an unusual virus that is written in MinGW and makes use of encrypting technologies. This virus is quite harmful, as some of the files it infects become damaged beyond repair. Further information on this particular virus and how to protect oneself from it can be found on BitDefender’s Defense Portal site at: http://www.bitdefender.com/VIRUS-680-en--Win32.Jeefo.A.html

BitDefender's May 2007 Top 10 malware list includes:

1. win32.worm.p2p.puce.g	10.31%
2. win32.worm.rjump.b	7.80%
3. win32.worm.agent.ai	5.76%
4. win32.worm.vb.ymeak.a	4.10%
5. win32.jeefo.a	4.04%
6. win32.fidcop.gen	3.85%
7. win32.netsky.p@mm	3.82%
8. worm.vbs.solow.a	3.45%
9. win32.wukill.e@mm	2.91%
10. win32.worm.vb.dw	2.14%

(Note: BitDefender’s May 2007 Top 10 list of malware accounts for 48.18 % of the total number of all viruses seen in circulation.)

“With the virtual disappearance of mass-mailers form the top infectors, the trend towards consolidation seems to have reduced somewhat,” commented Viorel Canja, head of BitDefender Labs. “Despite this reduction, BitDefender is committed to tracking and consistently staying ahead of these malware trends to offer our customers and partners the most trusted brand of security solutions available.”

For further details on the latest malware detected in the wild, please visit BitDefender’s Defense Portal site at: http://www.bitdefender.com/site/VirusInfo/realTimeReporting/.

About BitDefender®

BitDefender is a leading global provider of security solutions that satisfy the protection requirements of today's computing environment. The company offers one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of security software, setting new standards for threat prevention, timely detection and mitigation. BitDefender delivers products and services to over 41 million home and corporate users in more than 180 countries. BitDefender has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and Romania. Further information about BitDefender can be obtained by visiting: http://www.bitdefender.com.