• silicon.com
• Technology
• Security

By Jo Best, 31 March 2005 14:40

NEWS This month's virus top ten shows that Zafi is still topping the malware chart for the most prolific virus.

Zafi.D, which first appeared in 2004, has now topped the chart for most reported virus for four months in a row, according to antivirus firm Sophos. The Zafi variant made up 45 per cent of all reported viruses during March, with fellow old timer Netsky.P taking second place with 21 per cent of all reports.

Only one virus in March's top ten dates from 2005 - Sober.K. The virus, which spreads as an email attachment, uses a variety of subject lines to fool unsuspecting users into opening it - including 'You visit illegal websites' and the rather cheeky 'Alert! New Sober Worm!'.

Despite the relatively unchanging nature of the virus top ten in recent months, Sophos security consultant Carole Theriault said that the prevalence of old viruses was disguising the appearance of newer malware. According to Sophos, over a thousand new threats were found this month.

1. Zafi.D 45.1 per cent
2. Netsky.P 21 per cent
3. Zafi.B 5.9 per cent
4. Sober.K 5.8 per cent
5. Netsky.D 4.3 per cent
6. Netsky.Z 2.7 per cent
7. Netsky.B 2.3 per cent
8. MyDoom.O 1.3 per cent
9. Netsky.C 1.1 per cent
10. Netsky.Q 1.0 per cent

Others 9.5 per cent