Sophos labels Netsky as Worst Virus of 2004

Year 2004 saw Microsoft releasing service pack 2 of its main Operating System Windows XP, which was specifically aimed at increasing computer security. The year also saw almost a 50% rise in the number of viruses discovered compared to last year.

The figures were released by anti-virus maker Sophos which claimed to have spotted almost 10,700 new viruses, worms, and Trojans during the 12-month period between November 2003 and November 2004. Not a surprise considering firewalls and anti-spyware softwares have become as important as antivirus softwares for computers connected to the Internet.

What so surprising about the released figures by Sophos is that half of the number of those virus attacks came from a single virus family. Netsky has seen over 30 variants and takes the cake for the most widespread virus in the year 2004.

Incidentally, Sven Jaschan who is credited for creating the original version is already facing trial for the cyber crime. However, the variants continue to be successful. The other names that made news this year are Zafi.b, Sasser, and MyDoom.a.