Cross Platform Malware Increasing at Alarming Rate

As the advance of computer technology and its wide reaching applications continue to grow, unfortunately so do the threats.  The newest forms of malware have advanced and increased in adaptability and strengths; they attack without prejudice or warning and they have cross-platform power. The same strain of a particular malware and virus, if it has cross-platform capability, can hit multiple operating systems like Windows, Mac OS and Linux, simultaneously. They are dangerous because they have the ability to not just infect multiple OS, but also to transfer the infections from one platform to another.

The most noted and notorious cross-platform malware started back in 2009. Known as Koobface, this particular strain could affect both Windows and Mac computers. It could infiltrate and gain access to messenger Software, such as Yahoo Messenger, email and social media sites like Bebo, MySpace and Twitter. Koobface worked with an overabundance of aliases and managed to rip off over $2 000 000 from different users in twelve months, the most amounts were siphoned in March and April 2010.  The infection was global with 134 countries being affected.  The total number of IP Addresses hit was in the region of 62,000.

This infographic takes an in depth look at cross-platform malware.

There have been other infamous forms of Malware on the scene over the last 3 years, starting with the ‘Trojan.Jnanabot’ in Jan 2011.  Next up, in July of that year, there was ‘Backdoor:OSX/GetShell.A.’ That particular form of Malware was able to infect Mac, Windows and Unix machines.  A year later, in August 2012 Kaspersky Lab researchers discovered the ‘Crisis’ Malware, which was able to transfer itself from Windows to Mac OS X.  Only 4 Months ago, Malware researchers came across a Java based Trojan called ‘JV/BackDoor-FAZY’.

With the increased adaptability of these cleverly designed malware threats, how can the average user protect themselves? You should be wise when it comes to completing social media surveys and opening unsolicited emails. Anti-Virus software goes without saying, for both Windows and Mac Operating Systems, but do you keep it up to date?  With these constant threats out there, you should!

[Image via mashable]

SOURCE: http://www.mobistealth.com/blog/cross-platform-malware-growing-threat/