Twelve Million Zombie Computers Since January

Digital Trend ^ | Christopher Nickson | May 07, 2009

[nickcarraway]

Twelve million computers have been brought into botnets since January, according to a new report — and 18% of all zombie machines are in the US.

A new report from security company McAfee says that since January an estimated 12 million computers have been infected with malware and turned into zombies, making them part of botnets, and that these zombie numbers have increased by 50% since last year.

At 18%, the US hosts the largest number of infected machines, followed by China with 13%.

Jeff Green, senior vice-president of McAfee, said:

“The massive expansion of these botnets provides cyber-criminals with the infrastructure they need to flood the web with malware."

"Essentially, this is cyber-crime enablement."

Meanwhile, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) is saying in a new paper that the cyberthreats grow ever stronger, and urgent action is needed.

Greg Pellegrino, who is a global public sector industry leader at DTT, told the BBC:

"This issue is moving so quickly, and with so much at stake economically and in terms of safety and security for people, we don't have 100 years to figure this out."

"We are seeing this change from protecting the internet to a conversation about how we succeed and prosper in cyberspace."

"Security spending is growing at a rate never seen before while the threat environment is growing at a pace of 40% a year.”

"In terms of volume and severity of incidents, the math doesn't work and we have to come up with a different approach that requires public and private sectors working together."

All this comes as President Obama is preparing to release a review into cybersecurity, which his administration has made a priority.

[McGruff]

If your screen saver looks like this.

It might just be a zombie.

[OB1kNOb]

I always wondered - I’ve had this nagging feeling for years that cyber security software companies secretly fund some hackers and virus creators in order to increase business and broaden revenue streams. It’s just a feeling.

[a fool in paradise]

Maybe it’s Microsoft or RedHat updates

Part of the problem is that too much software declares a "right" to go out to the web and report back home or check for updates, etc.

And too much non-threating but nosey java as well.

The fact that people are permitted to put crud on your system, and give it 40 year expiration dates, etc. without your consent is why we are where we are today.

Imagine if ever time you pulled in to get gas, there were people popping your hood to make modifications, putting flyers under your windshield wipers, putting boxes of personal information in your trunk and glove compartment...

[nickcarraway]

Are you sure that's all it takes? I've never gotten a good answer as to how to detect if you are zombified.

I was worried that one of my computers was owned, because occasionally I get an error message saying something like there are two IP addresses on my computer. But I routinely do the spyware checks.

[a fool in paradise]

When Microsoft bought Gator, they intially just reclassified it no longer to be considered “malware” in their own adware sensor.

[Billthedrill]

Perhaps it’s the malware and virii that is preventing the Net from becoming self-aware.

Now there's a comforting thought. Maybe it is self-aware, but not in a healthy way. MAYBE THE ENTIRE INTERNET IS A ZOMBIE!

It'll be in my nightmares tonight. I hope you're happy.

[a fool in paradise]

I get frustrated because there are times that I will see activity that lets me know that I am most certainly infected with adware or possibly a virus. And none of the scanners will find it (McAffew antivirus or different adware search programs).

Occasionally I’ll find a program (adware search) that will find it but be unable to remove it.

In those instances, I find no option except to do a clean install (and I use a new drive).

[a fool in paradise]

The internet is turning people INTO Zombies. Just like late night tv turned people into vidiots.

[Stentor]

And I suspect people on competing platforms (Linux, Mac) who do such things in a “foreign” environment (MS) so as not to pee in their own swimming pool.

[Wooly]

Go to this link and you will be able to download and install all the security programs you need to scan and remove your problems if you have them.
And before the Applebores jump on here with the “Just buy a Mac crap”, remember these things do not jump out of thin air and infect your computer. You are letting them get on your computer with your computing habits. These include opening spam e-mails (even those from friends), going to websites that are flagged by your anti virus program as being dangerous, and the biggest one I still see is file sharing through Limewire, If you have this program uninstall it and use Torrents, but scan all downloaded files before running.
Never ever run two anti-virus programs on your computer. If you are running McAfee or Symantec, you are better off with Avira AntiVir Personal Edition (free) or AVG Free version.

http://www.techsupportalert.com/

[brytlea]

Awhile back I had weird messages, my son put in a password or something for the router and now I don’t have that. He said someone was likely tapping into my router to get online (free).

[mmichaels1970]

I know rootkits can be pretty nasty to remove. I've never seen this particular one, but I googled it (as I would if you were to bring your computer to me).

I found a thread on forums.techguy.org that has a ridiculously long discussion and troubleshooting session on it.

The most promising part of the thread seems to be a link to a program called gmer.net. It appears that a better known scanner called Avast contains the same anti-rootkit technology.

I'd try to remove it with the free version of Avast.
If that doesn't work, I'd try malwarebytes.
Then, I'd look into this gmer.net rootkit removal tool.

[Wooly]

Also on the website I put in the post also has some really good stuff under the “Hot Finds” tab. Also the programs on the website are tested by the members before they are posted.

[nickcarraway]

How about Avast?

[DesertRhino]

I mean this with 100% honesty. I support the Death Penalty for anyone who writes and releases a Virus or Malware. They do hundreds of millions in damage.

Argue all you want, but i’d pull the trigger today. Id also expand the death penalty to include anyone who forces a purse away from an elderly woman. They’ll never be worth a damn either.

[mmichaels1970]

Are you sure that's all it takes?

Never. It's my best guess. The dudes who write these things are pretty clever. They're freaking jerks, but clever. All I can say as that a good malware detection/removal strategy, and smart/safe browsing are the most reasonable way to prevent and remove malicious software. The only fullproof way I know of to stay completely secure is to disconnect your internet.

I was worried that one of my computers was owned, because occasionally I get an error message saying something like there are two IP addresses on my computer.

I'd need to see the error verbatim. Do you have an unsecured wireless network at home that a neighbor might be connecting to? Does your computer have more than one network card? Are there more computers in your house that might be using static IP addresses? There could be a variety of answers to that.

[DesertRhino]

You got it, and furthermore, im halfway suspicious of the companies who sell the “cure” software. They sure benefit when a malware or virus goes around. I think they are the releasers sometimes.

[Pessimist]

“A new report from security company McAfee..”

Yup. No self interest there..

I’m certain the makers of Tamiflu would like to talk to you about swine flu too...

[wolfcreek]

You probably need this AR to fight Zombies. You have to blow off their heads or sever their spines to be effective.

http://www.gunblast.com/50Beowulf.htm

[Semper Vigilantis]

All your byte are belong to us.