It is true to say that P2P networks are now a major channel by which malware penetrates users’ computers. In terms of security incident rate, we estimate this infection vector to be second only to browser attacks. Practically all types of threats including file viruses, rogue AVs, backdoors and various worms spread via P2P networks. Additionally, such networks have fast become an environment conducive to the propagation of new threats, such as ArchSMS.

The increase in cybercriminal activity on P2P networks has been well documented by other IT companies too. For example, in their Q2-2010 threat report, Cisco stated that the number of attacks carried out via the three most popular P2P networks, BitTorrent, eDonkey and Gnutella, had risen dramatically.

The P2P malware epidemic started in March, when the number of incidents detected by the Kaspersky Security Network exceeded the 2.5 million per month mark for the first time. A conservative estimate of the number of attacks occurring monthly by the end of the year puts the figure at somewhere close to 3.2 million.