Malicious software is on the rise both on computers and mobile devices, fuelled in part by hackers' ability to bypass a key security measure, researchers said on November 20. McAfee Labs said in its third quarter survey that it is seeing a rise in malware which circumvents the so-called digital signature validation meant to ensure software can be trusted.
McAfee said it saw a 30 percent jump in the quarter of mobile malware that allows an attacker to bypass the digital signature validation of apps on Android devices, along with a 50 percent increase in traditional malware signed with digital signatures.
"The efforts to bypass code validation on mobile devices, and commandeer it altogether on PCs, both represent attempts to circumvent trust mechanisms upon which our digital ecosystems rely," said Vincent Weafer, senior vice president of McAfee Labs.
"The industry must work harder to ensure the integrity of these technologies given they are becoming more pervasive in every aspect of our daily lives."
McAfee's quarterly report on threats in cyberspace also cited a rise in the use of Bitcoin for illicit activities such as the purchase of drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods on websites such as Silk Road.
McAfee also saw cybercriminals develop Bitcoin-mining malware to infect systems, and produce Bitcoins for commercial transactions. Bitcoins allow the creation of new currency through a process known as mining, according to McAfee.
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