Most anti-virus software can't detect botnet malware

Only about 40% of anti-virus software can detect the malware being distributed by botnets, says a security researcher.

In a blog, FireEye chief scientist Stuart Staniford says the poor protection is a reason why botnets are so successful in spreading their malware.

Botnet controllers quickly change the binaries of their malware, and the anti-virus software cannot keep up with the new variants of malware that are being regularly unleashed across the internet, says Staniford.

Staniford tested a sample of about 220 malware binaries taken from FireEye security appliances located in customer premises, and tested them against the independent VirusTotal test website.

This website runs around 40 anti-virus programs for comparison purposes. His test showed that the majority of programs could not detect the malware uploaded.

See: Free Malware protection and removal information