Computer Security Report: 2016 Holiday Malware Infection Rates Remain at...

Report: 2016 Holiday Malware Infection Rates Remain at Double the Normal Rate

holiday malware rates doubled normalThe 2016 holiday shopping season started with a dramatic spike in malware infections, and that spike has not let up. ESG reports that as of December 19th, malware infections on its customers' computers are 99.23% higher than the average number of infections in the month prior to the holiday shopping season starting on Black Friday.

The infection rate is tracking much higher than the infection rate in 2015, which saw an 84% spike. In 2014 the spike was 42%.

"We believe the continued spike in malware is due in large part to increased online activity by holiday shoppers, and increased efforts on the part of malware makers to take advantage of those shoppers," said ESG spokesperson Ryan Gerding.

The busiest day so far for malware infections was not on Cyber Monday. Instead, it was Wednesday, December 14th. That day saw infections 120.06% higher than normal. Cyber Monday's spike was 118.34%.

"We know that one of the most common ways to trick people into installing malware is by sending them fake emails that look like they are coming from legitimate online retailers," Gerding said. "We think the reason there's an even bigger spike a couple of weeks after Black Friday is because that's the time when online shoppers are in the heart of their buying and package tracking. Cybercrooks know this and will send fake emails saying there's a problem with an order or promising tracking information. In reality, it's just a link to malware. But they know the days leading up to Christmas are when people are much more likely to be expecting those kinds of emails from legitimate retailers."

Below is a list of each day during the holiday shopping season and the percentage spike in malware infections compared to the month prior.

  • November 25 (Black Friday) 88% higher
  • November 26 106% higher
  • November 27 114% higher
  • November 28 (Cyber Monday) 118% higher
  • November 29 114% higher
  • November 30 106% higher
  • December 1 96% higher
  • December 2 92% higher
  • December 3 84% higher
  • December 4 85% higher
  • December 5 97% higher
  • December 6 96% higher
  • December 7 95% higher
  • December 8 85% higher
  • December 9 78% higher
  • December 10 93% higher
  • December 11 89% higher
  • December 12 91% higher
  • December 13 93% higher
  • December 14 120% higher
  • December 15 119% higher
  • December 16 110% higher
  • December 17 100% higher
  • December 18 103% higher
  • December 19 101% higher

Tips to Help Protect Your Computer Against Malware During the Holiday Season and Beyond

  • You should have a reliable anti-malware software installed, and make sure to run frequent scans and updates.
  • If you are trying to check on the status of an online order, type the website of the retailer into your address bar manually to log in.
  • Never click on links in suspicious or unsolicited emails. Sometimes, emails may appear to come from a legitimate source but are, in fact, spam and may contain malicious links.
  • Be wary of unfamiliar websites that ask you to install software before continuing with your shopping. Unwanted or unfamiliar sites may have malicious scripts or links.
  • Be cautious of links found in social media messages. Such links include those found on Twitter direct messages and messages sent to you via Facebook. Potentially malicious messages may look like they are coming from your friends, but there's a good chance their account has been compromised and cybercrooks are attempting to trick you.
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