BOSTON -- Sophos, a world leader in IT security and control, has revealed the most prevalent malware threats causing problems for computer users worldwide during February 2007. The figures, compiled by Sophos's global network of monitoring stations, show that the HckPk family has had the greatest impact, accounting for more than half of the malware detected throughout the past month.

Hackers are increasingly using encryption and packer tools—such as those belonging to the HckPk family—to camouflage their malicious code. January's hardest-hitting worm, Dorf, plus the prevalent Dref mass-mailing worm, are just two examples of the malware currently being hidden within HckPk programs. Sophos has also found that cyber criminals are constantly modifying their HckPk disguises in an attempt to bypass IT defenses.

Sophos plc