Linux Malware Rates Reach Record Highs

Uploaded on 2023-02-07 in NEWS-Cybersecurity News, FREE TO VIEW

Until recently, cyber criminals have largely ignored Linux compared to other more popular operating systems. However, the new data shows that cyber attack trends are shifting and as more devices and services migrate to Linux, malware has become increasingly prevalent on the OS.

Despite Linux's reputation as the most secure operating system, it is not immune to malware. In fact, Linux malware has become increasingly widespread in recent years as many more devices and servers run on Linux operating systems.

Linux is regarded as one of the most secure operating systems. But its roller coaster ride of detected incidents since 2021 shows it is not immune to malware. After rising and falling since 2021 Linux malware hit record highs at the end of 2022, showing a growth of 117% over previously reports levels.

However malware attacks targeting Linux are not new. What is changing, though, is the focus cybercriminals now place on Linux in business and industry. Linux malware has become increasingly prevalent in recent years as more devices and servers run on Linux operating systems.

Based on an analysis by researchers at Atlas VPN has shown that the Linux threat landscape is evolving. It shows attackers increasingly see Linux as another worthwhile target.

“Linux users need to be aware of the growing risks, as prioritising system security is more important than ever,” they say. According to data analysis the Atlas VPN team released on January 18th, new Linux malware threats hit record numbers in 2022. Compared to 2021, when 121.6 million samples were detected, new malware numbers overall dropped by 39% to 73.7 million in 2022. Most new Linux malware samples (854,690) were seen in the first quarter of 2022.

But in the second quarter, new malware samples dropped by almost 3% to 833,065. Those Linux detection numbers plummeted again in the third quarter of last year by a staggering 91% to 75,841. But they picked up again in the fourth quarter of 2022, growing by 117% to 164,697.

Malware attacks targeting Linux are not new. What is changing, though, is the focus cyber criminals now place on Linux in business and industry.

Linux malware has become increasingly prevalent in recent years as more devices and servers run on Linux operating systems. While Linux is not as popular among computer users as other operating systems, it runs the back-end systems of many networks, making attacks on Linux highly lucrative.

Users Can Protect Their Systems from Malware

Protecting your computer system from malicious software or malware is a priority. To ensure the safety of your system and information, it is essential to implement several protective measures.

Keeping your operating system and all installed software up to date is the first step in protecting yourself against malware. These updates often include security patches designed to protect against viruses, worms, and other threats.

Your decision to use a non-administrator account on the system by default is also an important safety feature as this will limit any malware damage that malicious programs can cause.

Take extra precautions when clicking links or downloading files online as this could be a source of malware infections. When opening email attachments or images, thoughtful consideration should be taken before doing so. Similarly, if you are asked to download any software from pop-up windows, avoid trusting them outright as they may contain viruses that can infect and damage your personal information.

File-sharing should also be done cautiously. Refrain from sharing potentially confidential data with untrusted sources even if asked for.

Finally, installing a comprehensive cyber protection solution can provide additional safety measures necessary for protecting against potential threats lurking online.

As Linux adoption rises, so will attacks against it. Linux users need to be aware of the growing risks, as prioritising system security is more important than ever.

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