Malicious programs targeting Linux systems are growing mainly due to the proliferation of devices designed to connect to the Internet. This is stated in the report for the first quarter of 2017, WatchGuard Technologies, the manufacturer of network security devices, writes TechNewsWorld.

It is noted that the data collected from more than 26,000 devices worldwide. Three virus programs were detected for Linux, whereas during the previous period only one malware was detected.

"Attacks and Malware for Linux Grow. We believe that this is due to the system shortcomings of IoT devices. However, blocking incoming Telnet and SSH together with the use of complex administrative passwords can prevent an overwhelming majority of potential attacks, "co-authors of the WatchDuard CTO report said. Corey Nahreiner and security analyst Mark Laliberte.

According to the report, the amount of malware for Linux began to grow at the end of last year with the advent of botnen Mirai. It was Mirai used in September to attack part of the Internet infrastructure and disconnect millions of users.

Laliberte emphasized that the manufacturers of Internet devices Things do not pay due attention to security during the development process. Their goal is to make devices work - cheaper and faster. Safety goes into the background.

It is also noted that most IoT vendors use stripped down versions of Linux, because operating systems require minimal system resources.

In their desire to make devices easy to use, manufacturers use punctures that are very convenient for hackers.

"Attackers can access these vulnerable interfaces and then download malicious code," explained Paul Fletcher, cyber security consultant at Alert Logic.

He noted that manufacturers often use "bad" settings from the beginning.

"Often, administrator accounts have empty passwords or" password123 "passwords," Fletcher said..

Experts also found that the effectiveness of antivirus software is reduced from the end of 2016.

"For the second consecutive quarter, we see that our obsolete AV solution missed a lot of malware. In fact, the growth was from 30 to 38%, "- said Nahreiner and Laliberte.

"Currently, cybercriminals use a lot of subtle tricks to hide malicious software so that no one can find it. Therefore, so many networks that use the base AV are becoming victims of viruses, in particular such as extortioners, "they summed up.