Hackers Targeting Chinese Web Surfers

Hackers are now primarily targeting Chinese web surfers with malware attacks according to a new Microsoft report.

The company’s Malware Protection Center tracked malware attacks for the first half of 2008 and discovered that nearly 47 percent of browser attacks were aimed at the Chinese. In contrast, the second place United States received only 23 percent of all browser attacks. On the bright side, Microsoft says total Windows operating system vulnerabilities are down from last year.

Microsoft regularly publishes its Security Intelligence Report which summarizes malware trends as tracked through the company’s Malicious Software Removal Tool - a free application in Microsoft Windows. Malware attacks aimed at Chinese web browsers made up 46.6 percent of attacks while U.S. attacks came in at 23 percent. Curiously, the incredibly wired South Korea logged only 1.1 percent of malware attacks.

Operating system vulnerabilities are down nearly 20 percent from last year, according to Microsoft. However, 56 percent of the vulnerabilities could be easily exploited - something Microsoft calls a "low complexity exploit." In the first half of the year, the company released 77 security patches for its products. Almost all of these were pushed to Windows users during the infamous "Patch Tuesday" which is the second Tuesday of each month.

In addition to browser attacks, the report says trojan horse programs are making a big comeback. More than 30 percent of malware removed by the Malicious Software Removal Tool were trojans and the vast majority of those programs, more than 96 percent, belonged to the Win32/Zlob and Win32/Renos families.

It’s no secret that China has a huge piracy problem which could make users vulnerable to malware. Counterfeit versions of Windows are openly sold in Chinese markets and shopping centers. Buyers of such software might skip prudent security precautions like installing anti-virus programs or even updating their operating system.

While Microsoft would love the Chinese to regularly update their operating systems, the company hasn’t exactly endeared themselves to the public. In fact, recently the company released a Windows XP update in China that caused black screens on pirated operating systems. The black screens were accompanied with the message, "You may be the victim of pirated software."

If you have a few hours of spare time and want to read Microsoft’s 150-page Security Intelligence Report, click here.