PandaLabs Recaps Year of Malware

ORLANDO, Fla. — PandaLabs, which received more than 20 million new strains of malware in 2010, just released its "Virus Yearbook 2010," a rundown of unique and noteworthy viruses that have appeared over the past 12 months.

The compilation of viruses was wide and varied, with the Mariposa (Butterfly) botnet topping as the insect of the year.

"Like a true insect, it fed on the nectar of other people's computers and flitting from one to another," PandaLabs researchers said. "In total, more than 1 million financial records were stolen using the Marioposa botnet." Panda said a collaborative effort between international agencies led to the arrest of its creators.

Other notable viruses spotted by PandaLabs include:

"The Mischievous Mac Lover": The remote-controlled HellRaiser.A virus only affects Mac systems and needs user consent to install on a computer. Once installed, it can take remote control of the system and perform a host of functions, including opening the DVD tray.

"The Good Samaritan": Bredolab.Y is disguised as a message from Microsoft Support claiming that a new security patch for Microsoft Outlook needed to be installed immediately. Upon download, users were exposed to the SecurityTool rogueware, which told users their systems were infected and then offered a fake solution that many fell for and purchased.

"Linguist of the Year": MSNWorm.IE was distributed via MSN Messenger with a link tempting the user into viewing a photo. This virus was created in 18 languages and features an emoticon at the end ":D" of each note.

"The Most Audacious": The Stuxnet malicious code was designed to target critical infrastructures. The worm exploits a Microsoft USB security hole and silently manipulates the core the control systems.

"The Most Annoying": Oscarbot.YQ was a virus that infects your computer and continually prompted a pop-up window to ask users, "Are you sure you want to close the program? Yes or no?" Regardless of how many times users would close the window the same screen would appear repeatedly.

"The Most Secure Worm": Once installed on a computer, Clippo.A password-protects all office documents. A user then can't open any documents without a password.

"A Victim of the Crisis": Ransom.AB blocks the computer and asks for $12 for a code to unblock it.

"The Most Economical": Classified as adware, SecurityEssentials2010 acts like any other fake antivirus and alerted users to infections on their computers. Since the warning looked like a Microsoft anti-spyware product, many users were duped into buying the fake solution, making it one of the top 10 infections of 2010.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Show More