Sophos has announced the top ten viruses plaguing computer users worldwide during November 2006. The data, compiled from Sophos's global network of security research centers, indicated that the Stratio-Zip worm overtook Netsky-P as the most widely circulated piece of malware, accounting for one third of the total threats reported. Sophos experts also noted that Stratio-Zip and other malware can affect Microsoft Vista users operating public email clients -- reaffirming the need for compatible third-party security solutions.
Typically spread through email, the three Vista-resistant threats comprise 39.7 percent of all malware currently circulating. The complete November 2006 top ten malware list includes:
| 1 | Stratio-Zip | 33.3% |
| 2 | Netsky-P | 15.6% |
| 3 | Bagle-Zip | 6.1% |
| 4 | Zafi-B | 4.3% |
| 5 | Netsky-D | 3.9% |
| 6 | Nyxem-D | 2.5% |
| 6 | MyDoom-O | 2.5% |
| 8 | Mytob-C | 2.4% |
| 9 | Sality-AA | 1.8% |
| 10 | Zafi-D | 1.7% |
| -- | Others | 25.9% |
"It won't be long before cyber criminals develop Vista-specific malware or modify current threats to fit the bill. The Stratio-Zip worm, for example, remains on the top ten list due to constant, minor alterations to its code that force security systems to re-identify the malware," said Ron O'Brien, senior security analyst at Sophos.
The proportion of infected email continues to remain low, at just one in 357 (0.28 percent), while during November Sophos identified a record number of new threats-7,612-bringing the total number of malware protected against to 201,433.
