Cryptocurrency malware is the most widespread in Italy

In January 2018, the most widespread malware globally is CoinHive, which uses the power of users’ computers to produce Bitcoin

CoinHive, malware used to generate cryptocurrency using the CPU power of other computers, is the most widespread malware in Italy in January 2018. But that’s not all. The virus also wins the prize globally, having affected 23% of enterprises. Worrying data that highlights how the cryptocurrency market is extremely profitable for hackers.

The data comes from the research that Check Point, an Israeli company expert in cybersecurity, publishes every month on the spread of malware in the world. Following CoinHive in the ranking of the most widespread malware in the world is Fireball, a virus that takes control of the browser and turns the device into a zombie computer that can be remotely managed by any person, and Rig Ek, a Trojan virus that affects Windows PCs. In the world ranking of the most affected nations, Italy loses positions: in December 2017 it occupied position 75, while in January 2018 it drops to position 114. This means that hackers have eased the pressure a bit on companies in the Bel Paese.

What are the most widespread viruses globally

Scrolling down the list of the most widespread viruses globally, in the first ten positions we find three different malware that produce cryptocurrencies (mainly Monero) using the CPU of users’ computers. Actually, these are not real viruses that infect the computer, but they are software hidden inside the websites and whose only task is to exploit the processor of users visiting the portal to produce Monero or Bitcoin. Even a few seconds are enough for a hacker to make a profit. If we think that this type of viruses are present on portals with over 30 million visits every month, you can understand why CoinHive and its siblings are the most popular malware globally, with 23% of organizations being affected by this type of virus. Firebbal malware, on the other hand, affected 21% of users worldwide, while the Rig ek virus has a 17% penetration rate. In addition to malware to generate cryptocurrency, in the top ten positions we also find a campaign that sponsors misleading advertising and a Trojan that tries to steal users’ banking data.

The most popular malware in the mobile world

Check Point also analyzed the most popular viruses on smartphones and tablets. These are malware that almost exclusively affect the Android world, an operating system increasingly in the crosshairs of hackers. The most widespread virus is Lokibot, a trojan that tries to steal bank information and that, when needed, turns into a ransomware that locks the device. The second one in the ranking is Triada, a malware that grants administrator privileges to hackers and takes possession of the device. At the bottom rung of the podium is Hiddad, Android malware that repackages legal apps and then delivers them to a third-party store.