Top 10 Most Dangerous BotNets, Malware [Fix]

Botnet is a collection of software robots, or bots, that run automatically. It is often associated with malicious software over network of computers using distributed computing. While botnets are often named after their malicious software name, there are typically multiple botnets in operation using the same malicious software families, but operated by different criminal entities.

While the term “botnet” can be used to refer to any group of bots, such as IRC bots, this word is generally used to refer to a collection of compromised computers (called Zombie computers) running software, usually installed via drive-by downloads exploiting Web browser vulnerabilities, worms, Trojan horses, or backdoors, under a common command-and-control infrastructure.

The bad news is that, Botnet attacks are increasing, as cybercrime gangs use compromised computers to send spam, steal personal data, perpetrate click fraud and clobber Web sites in denial-of-service attacks. Here’s a list of America’s 10 most wanted botnets, based on an estimate by security firm Damballa of botnet size and activity in the United States.

Though most of them can be removed by most Antivirus softwares but not all vendors support removal ofall. So I’ve mentioned links where you can find steps for easy removal/ prevention of the specified Botnets

BotNets are more serious problem than you can think of. The no. of infected PCs (and users don’t have an idea about it) are increasing day-by-day.

So let’s raise the awareness by discussing Top 10 among the 100s, Ranked by size and strength of damage in the Increasing Order.

No. 10: Conficker

Compromised Computers: 210,000

This downloader worm has spread significantly throughout the world, though not so much in the U.S., its also called Downadup.  It’s a complex downloader used to propagate other malware. Though it has been used to sell fake antivirus software, this crimeware currently seems to have no real purpose other than to spread. Industry watchers fear a more dangerous purpose will emerge.

How to Avoid/Fix

No. 9: Gammima

Also know as Gamina, Gamania, Frethog, Vaklik and Krap. This one focuses on stealing online game logins, passwords and account information. It uses rootkit techniques to load into the address space of other common processes, such as Windows Explorer.exe, and will spread through removable media such as USB keys. It’s also known to be the worm that got into the International Space Station in the summer of 2008.

How to Avoid/Fix

No. 8: Swizzor

Compromised U.S. computers: 370,000

A variant of the Lop malware, this Trojan dropper can download and launch files from the Internet on the victim’s machine without the user’s knowledge, installing an adware program and other Trojans.

How to Avoid/Fix

No. 1: Zeus

Compromised U.S. computers: 3.6 million

The Zeus Trojan uses key-logging techniques to steal sensitive data such as user names, passwords, account numbers and credit card numbers. It injects fake HTML forms into online banking login pages to steal user data.

How to Avoid/ Fix

BEST SOLUTION

Keep your antivirus software updated. I recommend changing antivirus/Ad-aware software to a different vendor evey month coz a single one may not catch all.