Microsoft Cleaned 6.5 Million Zombie PCs Between April and June 2010

[Dave76]

Microsoft cleaned in excess of 6.5 million zombie computers between April and June 2010, but the company’s efforts alone are not enough to put a stop to the increasing threat that botnets represent to users, businesses and critical infrastructure.

At the RSA Conference Europe 2010 in London, Adrienne Hall, General Manager, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing, revealed that botnets have evolved to become a critical resource fueling cybercrime.

Hall’s vision is underlined in the latest volume of the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, namely SIRv9 which offers insight on the threat presented by networks of infected computers, also known as zombie PCs, which are controlled collectively by attackers.

“The SIRv9 report is an interesting insight into the most prevalent and dangerous cyber threat right now,” revealed Jeff Jones, director of Trustworthy Computing, Microsoft.

“It’s clear that the evolution of the botnet is a major concern and something Microsoft is taking extremely seriously.

“As well as the prominent rise in infections on a global scale, data from this year’s report has also shown that cybercriminals are now using more sophisticated techniques like botnets to further their reach of potential victims.”

While a zombie PC may appear as functioning under normal parameters to unsuspecting victims, fact is that such infected machines are part of larger botnets which are used by cybercriminals to commit various attacks, from sending spam, to phishing, identity theft, Denial of Service (DoS), click fraud and advance fee fraud.

Microsoft is one of the exponents of the disruption efforts that various players on the security market, including members of the software industry, law enforcement agencies, government entities, and academics have taken against botnets and botnet herders.

In the first half of September 2010, the Redmond company managed to drive the final nail into the Waledac coffin, putting to rest a major botnet which at one point contained in excess of 100,000 zombie PCs.

More...

 

[Lomai]

Scary :shock:
Thanks for the information provided
Have a great day and regards

 

[marsmimar]

The number of installed PCs worldwide has surpassed 1 billion units, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner analysts estimate the worldwide installed base of PCs is growing just under 12 percent annually. At that pace, it will surpass 2 billion units by early 2014.

Gartner Says More than 1 Billion PCs In Use Worldwide and Headed to 2 Billion Units by 2014

Although this data is a couple of years old, it's scary to think how many more zombie computers might be out there.

 

[jimbo45]

The number of installed PCs worldwide has surpassed 1 billion units, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner analysts estimate the worldwide installed base of PCs is growing just under 12 percent annually. At that pace, it will surpass 2 billion units by early 2014.

Gartner Says More than 1 Billion PCs In Use Worldwide and Headed to 2 Billion Units by 2014

Although this data is a couple of years old, it's scary to think how many more zombie computers might be out there.

Hi there
Whilst the info is interesting almost ANYTHING coming from Gartners can safely be dis-regarded.

Their future predictions are always totally 100% WRONG. I can't rememember ANY of their doom and gloom predictions that have actually turned out to be correct in the last SEVERAL years -- and thats a Geological epoch in computer terms.

They were recently forecasting the demise of ERP type software -- companies such as SAP and ORACLE are still doing incredibly well together with literally ZILLIONS of independant IT contractors / consultants working on these types of systems too.

I don't doubt that Botnets are a threat but c'mon guys -- 99% of this stuff doesn't actually cause a major problem to typical home users.

I'm really surprised Gartners are still in business -- if only they could recommend Stocks to buy -- I'd know immediately that I could "short" those and make a killing when the price plunges.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[marsmimar]

The number of installed PCs worldwide has surpassed 1 billion units, according to Gartner, Inc. Gartner analysts estimate the worldwide installed base of PCs is growing just under 12 percent annually. At that pace, it will surpass 2 billion units by early 2014.

Gartner Says More than 1 Billion PCs In Use Worldwide and Headed to 2 Billion Units by 2014

Although this data is a couple of years old, it's scary to think how many more zombie computers might be out there.

Hi there
Whilst the info is interesting almost ANYTHING coming from Gartners can safely be dis-regarded.

Their future predictions are always totally 100% WRONG. I can't remember ANY of their doom and gloom predictions that have actually turned out to be correct in the last SEVERAL years -- and thats a Geological epoch in computer terms.

They were recently forecasting the demise of ERP type software -- companies such as SAP and ORACLE are still doing incredibly well together with literally ZILLIONS of independent IT contractors / consultants working on these types of systems too.

I don't doubt that Botnets are a threat but c'mon guys -- 99% of this stuff doesn't actually cause a major problem to typical home users.

I'm really surprised Gartners are still in business -- if only they could recommend Stocks to buy -- I'd know immediately that I could "short" those and make a killing when the price plunges.

Cheers
jimbo

Not trying to get into an argument about the veracity or accuracy of Gartner's predictions, but others share the same estimates about current and projected PC usage. That about 1 billion PCs are in use now and 2 billion by 2014.

Additional source: eTForecasts - Worldwide PC Forecast

Other sources like Symantec, Sophos, Kaspersky, and even Microsoft have offered the same estimates as far back as 2007.

Microsoft's global vision: boost PC usage by 1 billion

I believe most businesses have the resources and technical support to protect their systems better than the average home user (not counting the people on this forum who are better educated when it comes to protecting their computers. ) So it follows that the average home user who indiscriminately clicks on email attachments, pop-up advertisements, questionable websites, etc. is more likely to become an unwitting accomplice in a botnet scheme.

And that's what I find scary ... that my older-than-dirt Aunt Zelda or my sister's 7 year old grandson will cause the family computer to become part of a botnet system. They are the average users who could unintentionally wreak havoc around the world.