A spying backdoor for Windows, malware in spam mailings, and other events of March 2015

April 2, 2015

Doctor Web presents its March 2015 virus activity review. The first month of spring proved to be far from calm in terms of information security: Incidents involving spam spreading dangerous encryption ransomware grew in number. Furthermore, the Dr.Web virus database received new definitions for programs targeting Android.

Springtime is usually associated with the annual awakening of nature; however, it looks like numerous virus makers and criminals involved in spreading malware have re-emerged from their winter hibernation too. Thus March witnessed the email distribution of numerous encryption ransomware programs for Windows: Over the course of the month, the number of users whose files were affected by programs of this kind and who contacted Doctor Web Technical Support for assistance increased by more than 20%. The numerous botnets whose activities are being closely monitored by security researchers continued to remain operational.

Read about these events and other IT security developments in Doctor Web’s detailed virus activity review.