Over 36,000 computers were used to spread malware across India in 2010, according to a report by the data security company Symantec. The report states that Mumbai contributed thirty-one percent to Bot infections. Pune accounted for one percent of Bot infected computers in the last year.
A Bot or bot net is a compromised computer that runs a software, which allows a remote computer to control it. This software is installed mostly by someone breaking into the computer. It also gets involved by some users unknowingly when installing a game or other software from a website. It was reported that 435 computers were affected per day with the Bot infections.
The present use of cell phones as the office computers to store the important data is increasing the risk of malware. Along with the cellphones, increased use of social networking sites and newer versions of malware are rising the user’s vulnerability to malware. Social networking sites have become the tools for malware these days. They are being used by the hackers to dupe a company or an individual. Once a person clicks on the link sent through an e-mail by the hacker, the system gets hacked making all the information in the computer accessible to the hacker.
Source: Indian Express