Top Ten viruses detected by Panda ActiveScan in February

Badtrans.B, Klez.F and Sircam head the list of viruses eliminated by Panda Softwares free, online antivirus

MADRID, March 10 2002

Despite February being a relatively quiet month in terms of new viruses, users around the world have still suffered the effects of attacks by malicious code. Panda Software, Europes leading antivirus developer, has produced a list of the top ten infectors during the last month in line with data produced by the companys free, online virus scanner, Panda ActiveScan.

The most frequently encountered virus was the auto-executable Badtrans.B, detected by Panda ActiveScan in over 21 percent of positive cases.

Close behind was Klez.F another e-mail worm, and one which can cause problems that could even prevent infected computers from being restarted.

The third most frequently detected virus, Sircam, was responsible for over six percent of infections. This virulent code has become notorious not least for the ingenious methods it uses to trick users into executing the infected file.

After this leading group came two of the most persistent viruses to have appeared in recent times. Nimda, detected in just over five percent of cases, and Disemboweler. The first of these is another auto-executable worm that exploits a number of system vulnerabilities, whilst Disembowler, as its name implies, is capable of causing serious damage to victims computers.

Two other malicious code that figure in Pandas monthly top-ten list include Myparty and the enduring Hybris virus, responsible for just under eight percent of infections between them.

The last places in the list were occupied by two other dogged infectors Magistr.B and Help and the more recent W32/Hai virus.

W32/Badtrans.b - 21,31%
W32/Klez.f - 19,29%
W32/Sircam - 6,19%
W32/Nimda - 5,37%
W32/Disemboweler - 4,55%
W32/MY PARTY - 4,11%
W32/Hybris - 3,83%
W32/Hai - 2,52%
Magistr.B - 2,30%
VBS/Help - 1,81%

In February, Panda ActiveScan has yet again proved to be one of the most popular, online antivirus tools, available free to all users.
Users that want to use this free, online solution can do so at Panda Softwares website http://www.pandasoftware.com. Panda ActiveScan is updated daily, offering protection against even latest generation viruses.
Panda Software also reminds users that ActiveScan is available to webmasters that want to include it on their websites. Offering visitors to a site the means to ensure their systems are safe from viruses represents an excellent way of enhancing website appeal. Administrators can request the HTML code from activescan@pandasoftware.com, indicating their country in the email.
About Panda Software
Panda Software (http://www.pandasoftware.com) is a leading international developer of antivirus software for all types of customers: corporate clients, small and medium sized companies, and home users. Their 100% in-house, cutting-edge technology has received awards and quality certifications from the most widely-respected IT security institutions. Their commitment to client service and the concept of the protection of computer systems as a 24h-365d Insurance Policy rather than merely a software product have revolutionized the computer security industry. The quality of Panda Softwares products has been endorsed by major industry watchdogs including ICSA Labs and Checkmark.