Windows 7: Report: malicious PDF files becoming the attack vector of choice

According to a newly released report by Symantec’s MessageLabs, malicious PDF files outpace the distribution of related malicious attachments used in targeted attacks, and currently represent the attack vector of choice for malicious attackers compared to media, help files, HTMLs and executables.

The report also notes a slight increase in the distribution of executable files, a rather surprising trend given the fact that spam and email filters will definitely pick them up.



“PDF-based targeted attacks are here to stay, and are predicted to worsen as malware authors continue to innovate in the delivery, construction and obfuscation of the techniques necessary for this type of malware,” said MessageLabs Intelligence Senior Analyst, Paul Wood.