McAfee, Inc. Report Shows Internet Seas Awash With Pirated Content After Pirate Bay Shutdown

McAfee Third Quarter Threat Report Shows Record Levels of Spam, Malware and
Web-Based Threats
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The number of new file-sharing sites hosting unauthorized, copyrighted content
skyrocketed over the last three months, according to McAfee, Inc.`s (NYSE:MFE)
Third Quarter Threats Report. The report also shows that spam, malware and
Web-based threat creation has reached record levels in the last quarter, and
that cybercriminals are extorting site-owners with threats of DDoS attacks.

Piracy Undeterred by Pirate Bay Shutdown

Cybercriminals are taking advantage of a 300 percent jump in the creation of
file-sharing sites that occurred while a famous torrent site - or a site which
can host links to copyrighted content - The Pirate Bay, was prosecuted in
Sweden. As users develop more sites to share content, malware writers are
creating sites to trick users looking to download copyrighted material into
downloading malicious programs. McAfee predicts the number of these malicious
sites will increase during the fall and holiday blockbuster film seasons.

Many of these sites sprang up to scam users of The Pirate Bay who were looking
for a new place to download copyrighted material.

McAfee researchers observed that users began creating their own sites to support
The Pirate Bay community when the site was in the process of being shut down.
When the site was back up after only 24 hours, the new torrent sites disappeared
quickly.

McAfee Labs` analysis revealed peaks in the creation of these sites which
correlate to major events in the film industry. During the release of the summer
blockbusters McAfee observed a peak, as well as during this year`s Oscar Season
and 2008`s holiday movie season. McAfee expects a similar peak during this
year`s fall release of "Oscar-bait" films and the holiday season.

Spam, Malware and Web Threats at an All-Time High

The McAfee report also found that spam and malware levels have reached an
all-time high, with threats surpassing previous records in the last quarter.
Web-based attacks have also increased as cybercriminals take advantage of
celebrity deaths and natural disasters.

Spam reached its highest level in history, breaking the previous record set in
the second quarter of 2009 by 10 percent. Spam now comprises 92 percent of all
e-mail. When compared with the third quarter of 2008, spam jumped 24 percent.

Web-based attacks are the newest hot threat vector, and have become one of the
most dangerous tools cybercriminals utilize. These attacks can target anyone who
visits a malicious Web page, and are delivered to users through spam, phishing,
social networks and even through redirects from hijacked legitimate Web sites.
Fifty-five percent of all malicious URLs are hosted in the US, and
cybercriminals are getting increasingly effective at utilizing SEO techniques to
drive traffic to these bad sites. Malware authors take advantage of news stories
like the death of celebrities and natural disasters to hide their malicious
intentions.

DDoS for Sale

In the last quarter, McAfee Labs observed many new denial-of-service attacks,
including some that demand ransom. Four Australian sports betting companies were
taken down during key events like the football and rugby finals, resulting in
millions of dollars of losses.

DDoS as a service is growing in popularity, with many cybercriminals offering
botnets comprised of thousands of zombie computers to attack sites for the
highest bidder. These botnets are capable of knocking even some of the
most-protected sites offline. Cybercriminals will even offer a "demo"
performance for a few minutes to prospective buyers. The Threats Report includes
images of some of these offers.

The McAfee Labs Third Quarter Threats Report can be downloaded here:
http://www.mcafee.com/us/local_content/reports/7315rpt_threat_1009.pdf

About McAfee, Inc.

McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world's largest
dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly
tackling the world's toughest security challenges. The company delivers
proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and
networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet,
browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team,
McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the
public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with
regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and
continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com

NOTE: McAfee and any additional McAfee marks herein are registered trademarks of
McAfee, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. McAfee
Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand products. All
other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of
their respective owners. (C) 2009 McAfee, Inc. All rights reserved.

McAfee, Inc.
Ally Zwahlen, 408-346-3466
Ally_zwahlen@mcafee.com
or
The Red Consultancy
Sean Brooks, 415-618-8807
Sean.brooks@redconsultancy.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009