Don’t download this top 10 list

Online security company Sophos has released a top 10 list of the most pernicious malware hitting the Web in August 2007. They were: Mal/Iframe (virus); Mal/ObfJS (loads malware); Troj/Decded (Trojan); Troj/Fujif (Trojan); Mal/EncPk (loads malware); Troj/Psyme (Trojan); Mal/Packer (malware); Troj/Pintadd (Trojan); VBS/Redlof (virus) and Mal/Behav (Trojan).

Trojans are programs that sneakily install processes that can track Web activity or identify and e-mail personal information. Malware covers a wide range of programs including pop-ups, browser hijackers or spyware that tracks Web activity.

These result from browsing, not e-mail. Sophos says the best protection is regular updates of one’s corporate or individual antivirus programs plus regular scans to track suspicious activity.