Intel Security: Ransomware Rose by 127% from 2Qs in 2014-15

A new Intel Security report has found a 127 percent growth in ransomware samples between the second quarter of 2014 and 2015 due to the emergence of CryptoWall, CTB-Locker and other forms of malware that restrict access to computer systems.

The McAfee Labs Threats Report says computer networks with MacAfee security software encountered at least 19.2 million infected files and over 6.7 million attempts to link network users to malicious URLs through browsers and emails during every hour in the second quarter of this year, Intel Security said Tuesday.

The company analyzed the development of software and hardware security threats over five years and found that cybercrime has turned into a completely established industry.

“We were impressed by the degree to which three key factors – expanding attack surfaces, the industrialization of hacking, and the complexity and fragmentation of the IT security market – accelerated the evolution of threats, and size and frequency of attacks,” said Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs at Intel Security.

The study also noted a 17 percent increase in mobile malware samples during the second quarter of 2015 and a rise in attacks against Internet-connected devices over the five-year period.

“To keep pace with such momentum, the cybersecurity community must continue to improve threat intelligence sharing, recruit more security professionals, accelerate security technology innovation, and continue to engage governments so they can fulfill their role to protect citizens in cyberspace,” Weafer added.