According to a BBC News article, dated October 13, 2010, Microsoft's  Security Intelligence Report has revealed that more than 2.2. million U.S. PCs were found to be part of botnets during the first six months of 2010.  

The report was compiled and published to "alert people to the growing danger from malicious networks."  According to Cliff Evans, head of security and identity at Microsoft UK, "'[m]ost people have this idea of a virus and how it used to announce itself.  Few people know about botnets.'"  

"Hi-tech criminals use botnets to send out spam, phishing emails and launch attacks on websites. Owners of botnets also scour infected machines for information that can be sold on the underground auction sites and markets found online."

According to Microsoft's research, "a botnet called Lethic sent out 56% of all botnet spam sent between March and June even though it was only on 8.3% of all known botnet IP addresses."  "'It's phenomenal the amount of grip that thing has,' said Mr. Evans."

Combating the root-cause, typically viruses, is fairly straightforward according to Mr. Evans.  "He said people should sign up for automatic updates, make sure the applications they use are regularly patched, use anti-virus software and run a firewall."  

According to Microsoft's report, South Korea featured the highest number of infected PCs, with approximately 15 machines per 1,000. Brazil had the second highest level of infections with 550,000.

The full BBC News article can be found at the link above, or here.  Microsoft's Security Intelligence Report is available for download at the link above, or here.

According to a BBC News article, dated October 13, 2010, Microsoft's  Security Intelligence Report has revealed that more than 2.2. million U.S. PCs were found to be part of botnets during the first six months of 2010.  

The report was compiled and published to "alert people to the growing danger from malicious networks."  According to Cliff Evans, head of security and identity at Microsoft UK, "'[m]ost people have this idea of a virus and how it used to announce itself.  Few people know about botnets.'"  

"Hi-tech criminals use botnets to send out spam, phishing emails and launch attacks on websites. Owners of botnets also scour infected machines for information that can be sold on the underground auction sites and markets found online."

According to Microsoft's research, "a botnet called Lethic sent out 56% of all botnet spam sent between March and June even though it was only on 8.3% of all known botnet IP addresses."  "'It's phenomenal the amount of grip that thing has,' said Mr. Evans."

Combating the root-cause, typically viruses, is fairly straightforward according to Mr. Evans.  "He said people should sign up for automatic updates, make sure the applications they use are regularly patched, use anti-virus software and run a firewall."  

According to Microsoft's report, South Korea featured the highest number of infected PCs, with approximately 15 machines per 1,000. Brazil had the second highest level of infections with 550,000.

The full BBC News article can be found at the link above, or here.  Microsoft's Security Intelligence Report is available for download at the link above, or here.