Over 95 per cent of 2022’s new malware threats aimed at Windows

Windows is the most popular operating system among desktop and laptop users, with around 30 per cent of the OS market share worldwide. This is one of the reasons why it is also the most targeted by malware.

According to data analysed by the Atlas VPN team, based on AV-TEST GmbH statistics, 59.58 million new Windows malware samples were detected in the first three quarters of 2022. They make up a whopping 95.6 per cent of all new malware discovered in that period.

Linux malware takes the second spot on the list with 1.76 million new malware samples — 2.8 per cent of the total new malware threats in Q1-Q3 2022.

Android malware takes the bronze medal, with 938,379 newly discovered malware threats detected in the same period. This constitutes 1.5 per cent of all new malware in Q1-Q3 2022.

Finally, macOS was targeted with 8,329 never-before-seen malware threats in the same period.

Despite various anti-malware measures that exist today, cyber criminals continuously come up with new malware threats. A total of 62.29 million new malware samples were detected in the first three quarters of 2022 across all operating systems, equating to approximately 228,164 malware threats every day.

However, there is some good news. Compared to the same period last year, new malware has decreased by 34 per cent. Even though there is a clear downward trend in new malware samples, the number of threats still remains exceptionally high.

Looking at new malware development quarter-by-quarter, the first quarter of this year saw the most significant amount of new malware samples: 22.35 million. However, new malware samples dropped by 4 per cent in the second quarter of this year to 21.49 million. They plummeted again in the third quarter, down by 14 per cent to 18.45 million.

It seems likely that new malware threats will continue to decrease over the fourth quarter of the year, with 7.62 million new threats found to date in October and November — nearly 60 per cent less than at the same time last year.

Atlas VPN has shared a short list of 'Dos and Don'ts' as a guide for consumers to protect themselves against malware threats.

Don't

• Open unknown links or attachments that might download malware into your device.
• Download apps from third-party sources and unofficial websites, as they might already be infected with malware.
• Leave your devices unattended or lend them out, as attackers can install malware by physically interacting with your device, for instance, with an infected USB drive.

Do

• Use reputable anti-virus software to protect your devices.
• Update your software as soon as possible to patch any vulnerabilities that might be left.
• Enable the SafeBrowse feature when using Atlas VPN, as it helps to block malicious websites and pop-ups from loading.