Symantec Archives

Tech Optimizer

March 23, 2025

New Report Antivirus software Market to Reach New Heights by 2034

The global antivirus software market is projected to grow from approximately USD 4.5 billion in 2024 to around USD 9.2 billion by 2034, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.7% from 2025 to 2034. The market is analyzed by various criteria, including type (standalone, integrated, cloud-based), device (computers, tablets, smartphones, servers), operating system (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux), and end user (individual, enterprise, government). Key players in the industry include Symantec Corporation, McAfee Inc., Kaspersky Lab, Trend Micro Inc., Avast Software s.r.o., Bitdefender, ESET, Sophos, F-Secure, Panda Security, Microsoft Corporation, NortonLifeLock Inc., Check Point Software Technologies, CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., SentinelOne, Cylance Inc., Malwarebytes, Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd., and AhnLab Inc. The report also provides regional analysis for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

Avast Antivirus Statistics and Facts (2025)

Avast's global revenue for 2024 is projected to reach USD 950 million, with a growth rate of 4% compared to the previous year. The company has over 435 million active users globally, with 60% of its revenue coming from Europe and North America. Avast controls 6.5% of the global antivirus market and ranks among the top five providers in the cybersecurity industry. Its VPN services, using AES-256-bit encryption, saw a 12% increase in subscriptions. Additionally, 80% of Avast's products integrate AI and machine learning, and mobile security products account for 20% of its total revenue. Avast has raised USD 100 million in funding, bringing its valuation to USD 2,865.9 million, and partnerships with major tech companies contribute 10% of its total revenue. The company employs more than 1,800 individuals and has around 9 million weekly active users. Avast prevents nearly 1.5 billion attacks each month and has users in 59 countries. A total of 859 companies utilize Avast for organizational cybersecurity solutions, and the software is available in 45 different languages. Avast offers a 30-day free trial and has a highly accurate antivirus solution, with a 94.2% offline detection rate and a 99.5% online detection rate. Avast is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. The software features include real-time protection, Wi-Fi Inspector, CyberCapture, and email shield. Paid plans range from INR 4,144.79 (USD 49.99) to INR 6,632.17 (USD 79.99) per year. In Q1 2024, social engineering attacks were identified as the biggest threat, with scams increasing by 61% on mobile and 23% on desktop. Avast's global risk ratio was 31%, with a total of 3.52 billion blocked attacks. The company secured the fourth position in the antivirus market, with 8% paid users and 18% free users. As of July 2024, avast.com had 14.1 million visits, with the United States contributing 20.1% of the traffic. Male users made up 62.93% of visitors, and the highest percentage of users were aged 25 to 34. Organic search generated the highest traffic rate, accounting for 45.9%, while YouTube was the leading source of social media referrals.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

Avast Antivirus Statistics and Facts (2025)

Avast has a user base exceeding 435 million globally and employs over 1,800 individuals. The company’s projected global revenue for 2024 is USD 950 million, with approximately 60% generated from Europe and North America. Avast commands 6.5% of the global antivirus market and has raised USD 100 million in funding, elevating its valuation to USD 2,865.9 million. The software prevents nearly 1.5 billion attacks each month and operates in 59 countries. It is available in 45 languages and competes with brands like Symantec and McAfee. Avast's antivirus solution has a 94.2% offline detection rate and a 99.5% online detection rate. Paid plans range from INR 4,144.79 (USD 49.99) to INR 6,632.17 (USD 79.99) annually. In Q1 2024, Avast blocked 3.52 billion attacks, with social engineering attacks being the predominant threat. The website avast.com recorded 14.1 million visits in July 2024, with the United States accounting for 20.1% of total traffic. Organic search generated 45.9% of total visits, and YouTube was the leading social media referral source.

Tech Optimizer

November 20, 2024

Pc Antivirus Software Market Poised for Explosive Growth, Reaching USD 42.47 Billion by 2032

The PC Antivirus Software Market is projected to grow from billion in 2024 to billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.68%. The market is segmented into home users, small businesses, and large enterprises, with North America currently leading. Key players include Kaspersky, Symantec, Malwarebytes, VIPRE Security Group, McAfee, Trend Micro, Bitdefender, FSecure, Panda Security, and ZoneAlarm. Recent innovations involve machine learning and cloud-based threat analysis, while the demand is driven by increased cyberattacks and digital work environments. The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth due to increased internet penetration and a focus on cybersecurity.

Winsage

November 17, 2024

7 built-in Windows games I miss the most

- Solitaire was introduced in Windows 3.0 in 1990 and became a staple for users until Windows 7. - Chess Titans was part of the 3D games suite introduced with Windows Vista, known for its visuals and smooth animations. - Minesweeper debuted with Windows 3.1 in 1992 and became a cultural icon due to its minimalist design and addictive gameplay. - SkiFree was included in the Microsoft Entertainment Pack and featured a humorous skiing premise. - Smart Dots was part of the Symantec Game Pack, focusing on creating boxes on a grid of dots. - Hangman was another game from the Symantec Game Pack, a word-guessing game popular among friends and family. - 3D Pinball for Windows - Space Cadet was originally part of Full Tilt! Pinball and included in several Windows versions, known for its engaging gameplay and soundtrack.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Hackers increasingly use Winos4.0 post-exploitation kit in attacks

Hackers are targeting Windows users with the Winos4.0 framework, which is distributed through seemingly harmless game-related applications. This toolkit has capabilities similar to well-known post-exploitation frameworks like Sliver and Cobalt Strike. Initially, a threat actor named Void Arachne attracted victims with modified software like VPNs and Google Chrome for the Chinese market, but recent tactics involve using games and game-related files. The infection process begins when a legitimate installer is executed, downloading a DLL file from “ad59t82g[.]com.” This triggers a multi-step infection process involving the download of a DLL named you.dll, which fetches additional files and modifies the Windows Registry for persistence. The second phase involves injected shellcode that loads APIs and connects to a command-and-control (C2) server, while the third phase retrieves encoded data from the C2 server. The final stage includes loading a login module that performs various malicious actions, such as collecting system information, checking for anti-virus software, gathering data on cryptocurrency wallet extensions, maintaining a backdoor connection to the C2 server, and exfiltrating sensitive information through methods like taking screenshots and stealing documents. Winos4.0 can identify various security tools, including Kaspersky, Avast, and Malwarebytes, allowing it to adjust its behavior based on the environment. Fortinet describes Winos4.0 as a powerful tool for controlling compromised systems, with reports from Fortinet and Trend Micro providing indicators of compromise (IoCs) related to this threat.

Winsage

October 14, 2024

Iranian hackers now exploit Windows flaw to elevate privileges

The Iranian state-sponsored hacking group APT34, also known as OilRig, has intensified its operations against government and critical infrastructure sectors in the UAE and the Gulf region. Researchers at Trend Micro have observed sophisticated tactics employed by the group, starting with the exploitation of vulnerable web servers to upload a web shell, which allows for remote code execution and PowerShell commands. OilRig uses this access to deploy additional malicious tools, including one that exploits the Windows CVE-2024-30088 vulnerability, enabling privilege escalation to the SYSTEM level. Following the breach, OilRig registers a password filter DLL to intercept plaintext credentials during password changes and installs 'ngrok' for covert communications. The group has shifted tactics to exploit on-premise Microsoft Exchange servers to steal credentials and exfiltrate sensitive data via legitimate email traffic, utilizing a new backdoor called 'StealHook.' This backdoor captures stolen passwords and sends them as email attachments, often using legitimate accounts to route these emails through government Exchange Servers. Trend Micro noted similarities between StealHook and previous OilRig backdoors, indicating an evolution in their malware. OilRig had previously used a PowerShell backdoor named 'PowerExchange' on Exchange servers. The group's ongoing activity raises concerns about a potential connection to another Iran-based APT group, FOX Kitten, which is known for ransomware attacks, posing risks for operational disruptions, especially in the energy sector.

Winsage

September 18, 2024

Internet Explorer rises from the dead through Windows vulnerability

Cybercriminals, specifically the group Void Banshee, are exploiting vulnerabilities in remnants of Internet Explorer 11, which was retired over two years ago. They are using the vulnerabilities CVE-2024-43461 and CVE-2024-38112 to infiltrate systems in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia, targeting sensitive information like cookies and passwords. The attacks involve specially crafted .url files that can reactivate Internet Explorer, which still exists within Windows. Additionally, attackers are disguising .hta files as PDFs to bypass security warnings, leading to the installation of the Atlantida InfoStealer, a tool for harvesting sensitive data. Security solutions from companies like Symantec can help protect against these threats.

Tech Optimizer

August 13, 2024

Antivirus Software for Business Market Share & Market Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts for period from (2024 – 2031)

The antivirus software market for businesses is undergoing significant changes due to rising cyber threats and increased cybersecurity awareness. Business-oriented antivirus solutions offer advanced features such as network monitoring, endpoint security, real-time threat detection, and centralized management. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.00%, driven by evolving cyber threats, advancements in AI and machine learning, and a focus on cybersecurity in corporate strategies. Regulatory requirements for data protection are also pushing businesses to invest in reliable antivirus solutions. The market is segmented by device type, including PCs, smartphones, and tablets, and serves small, medium-sized, and large businesses with tailored solutions. Key regions for the antivirus software market include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Emerging trends include enhanced threat detection through AI and machine learning, the adoption of cloud-based solutions, integrated security suites, the zero trust security model, remote work security solutions, and regulatory compliance. Major players in the market include Symantec, McAfee, and Kaspersky.