PandaLabs: Over 5 Million New Malware Samples in Q3

In the third quarter of 2011, PandaLabs, Panda Security’s malware research laboratory, said five million new malware samples were created, which, according to my math, breaks down to about 55,000 per day. It’s not news new to report that malware continues to be cranked out and an alarming rate. 

In typical security vendor fashion, however, Panda didn’t seem to highlight the fact that the daily average of new malware samples actually decreased during the quarter, according its numbers. While 5 million samples over three months seems high, the numbers are actually lower than previous quarters.

In the first three months of 2011, for example, PandaLabs said it had identified an average of 73,000 new malware strains each day, most being Trojans. For some historical comparison, in 2010 PandaLabs said it saw an average of approximately 63,000 new threats each day. In the first half of 2010, Sophos received an average of 60,000 new malware samples every day, about 1 every 1.4 seconds.

In its quarterly report, which highlighted security events and incidents from July through September 2011, Panda said trojans represented more than 75 percent of all new malware.

“The highlight of the third quarter is the record set in the creation of new Trojan samples,” said Luis Corrons, Technical Director at PandaLabs. “Three out of four new malware samples created by cybercriminals are Trojans, creating further proof that their sole intent is to steal users’ information.”

During Q3 2011, 76.76 percent of malware samples were Trojan Horses, an increase from 68 percent in the previous quarter. Trojans have always topped the malware threat charts, but the most recent quarter set a record.