In the year that is coming to an end, the Downloader.GK Trojan has been the malicious code that has caused most damage among users’ computers, according to the data gathered by Panda ActiveScan. The prevalence of this Trojan signifies an important change in the repercussions that malicious codes are having on users’ computers, as until now, first place in this annual ranking had always been occupied by a worm.

Panda Software’s ActiveScan is a free virus removal tool available for all computer users to repair their computers and fix the viruses missed by other antivirus providers.

Data provided throughout 2004 demonstrates Downloader.GK ranks #1 for 2004 and responsible for approximately 14% of all attacks. This Trojan doesn’t spread of its own accord, but is downloaded onto
computers when unsuspecting users visit certain web pages and accept the installation of a specific ActiveX control. Downloader.GK installs and runs two adware programs on the computers it infects.

The remainder of the Top Ten ranking of malicious code detected by Panda ActiveScan was comprised of:

2. Netsky.P (6.92%)
3. Sasser.ftp (4.97%)
4. Gaobot.gen (4.31%)
5. Mhtredir.gen (4.22%)
6. Netsky.D (3.98%)
7. Downloader.L (3.56%)
8. Qhost.gen (3.48%)
9. Netsky.B (3.45%)
10. StartPage.FH (3.34%)