Most of the rise in cybercrime can be linked to data-stealing malware and trojans are the fastest-growing category, according to a report released Monday by Trend Micro, an internet security software company. The study says that as of the first quarter of 2009, 93 per cent of data-stealing malware were trojans.

This is seen as a steep rise comparing to the previous years. In 2007, 52 per cent of data-stealing malware were trojans; in 2008, that number increased to 87 per cent, according to the report, titled Focus Report – Data Stealing Malware.

In addition, trojans and trojan spyware are the predominant type of data-stealing malware in every region monitored by TrendLabs, Trend Micro's research arm, which includes Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, North America and Europe.

“Virtually anyone with a computer and internet access can steal data. The trend seen over the years is that the situation in India is similar to that of other foreign countries. The data-stealing malware problem strikes small-to-medium businesses particularly hard,” said Abhinav Karnwal, technical manager, APAC Trend Micro.

The report points out that the smaller organisations have a limited IT budget and few IT staff so they hire a third party to build a web site. “Over time, the site fails to be maintained or upgraded, exposing vulnerabilities. One of the most damaging aspects of cyber crime has been the huge hit on consumer confidence, which is especially damaging in today's economy. At a time when the economy could benefit most from consumer confidence, unchecked online criminal activity is causing many consumers to turn away from using the internet,” says the study. Cyber criminals steal online banking credentials, credit card numbers, social security numbers and passwords from compromised networks and PCs, then cycle the stolen data back into the cyber crime economy, fueling an underground financial system driven by criminal networks that traverse geopolitical boundaries, stated the report.