The US and Brazil continued their output of spam and viruses through August, although levels have dropped slightly since July, according to managed security firm, Network Box.

Analysis of Internet threats by Network Box in August 2009 shows that the volume of malware, which peaked in July (when volumes increased by 300 per cent), are back down at levels seen in June (around four viruses per customer, per hour). Spam is also down slightly, averaging around 90 spam emails per customer, per hour (from a peak of around 120 in May).

The US continues to dominate as the main source of the world’s viruses, producing 15.9 per cent of all viruses. It is followed closely by Brazil, which produces 14.5 per cent (similar levels to last month’s 14.1 per cent).

Brazil continues to be the biggest source of spam, producing 11.6 per cent of all spam, followed by the US at 8.6 per cent and Korea at 7.2 per cent.

Korea remains the biggest source of intrusion attacks, at 17.3 per cent.

Phishing attacks also remain high, at 33 per cent of all viruses. This is down slightly from last month's 36.2 per cent, but still significantly higher than in June, when phishing attacks made up just five per cent of all viruses.

Simon Heron, Internet Security Analyst for Network Box says: "Businesses and individuals still need to be alert to threats through the remainder of the summer, particularly phishing attacks. We’ve seen a huge increase in SQL injection attacks so it's important that anyone using web-based applications or servers keeps their security up to date."

Top Ten Viruses

Top Ten Trojans

Top Ten Intrusions

Top Ten Sources of Viruses

Top Ten Sources of Spam

Top Ten Sources of Intrusions

For more information on security issues, see www.network-box.co.uk, or visit Simon Heron's blog at: http://blog.network-box.co.uk, or follow Simon on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/networkbox.

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