Viruses, Trojans still infecting our computers

Source: Surfshark Antivirus. PowerShell scripts dominate Windows malware, whereas viruses are the leading cause of malware for macOS.

Malware remains one of the main ways criminals steal money or data from people and companies. So far in 2025, Surfshark Antivirus has recorded 479K malware cases. Of these, 87% (419K) were on Windows, and the remaining 13% (60K) were on macOS. 

- Malware can cause extensive harm to internet users. Personal data breaches alone caused users US$1.5 B in losses in 2024.  

- Attackers are focusing their efforts on Windows since it holds the majority market share and therefore the biggest catch. 

Windows remains the most popular operating system (OS) worldwide, although its market share declined from 77% in 2020 to 71% in 2025. The second most popular OS is macOS, with a stable global market share of around 15%. For example, the OS breakdown in South Korea is Windows 85%, and macOS 6%. 

- PowerShell script malware is among the most common (22%) Windows infections, Surfshark said, giving hackers full control of a computer and its data; 

“PowerShell scripts are among the most common Windows malware and the most dangerous for users. They can give hackers full control of your computer and data. These scripts blend in, appearing like legitimate software operations. 

"For example, you might be browsing your favourite news site when a popup appears, saying: ‘Your system needs an urgent security update — click here.’ The pop-up shows the Windows logo and looks official, so you select ‘Update Now.’ Yet the ‘update’ actually uses a PowerShell script to install malware and connect to a hacker’s server. That’s how all your private data, including passwords and financial information, can become accessible to hackers,” explained cybersecurity expert Nedas Kazlauskas. 

- Mac users are most likely to catch viruses (28%) and Trojans (26%)

Viruses and Trojans exploit vulnerabilities in macOS. Most often, they are installed after downloading apps from outside the official App Store. Mac viruses and Trojans can also include browser-hijacking programs that attempt to steal users’ browser data, such as saved passwords in password managers.

Additionally, Surfshark’s expert draws macOS users’ attention to the “Other” malware category, which accounts for 16% of attack cases. “Hackers are experimenting extensively with macOS. They are searching for vulnerabilities and trying to install malicious programs. What makes it tricky is that it’s not really clear what their final goal is,” said  Kazlauskas.

Surfshark suggests:

- Have a working antivirus program. Regular virus scans are vital for detecting and eliminating harmful code; 

- Always update your operating system and apps. Unpatched devices are the easiest target for malware, but be cautious of pop-up windows that tell you to update or download software;

- Don’t open suspicious emails, attachments, or links. In most cases, phishing attempts lead to device infections; 

- Beware of suspicious links, particularly shortened ones circulating on social media. Usually, those lead to phishing or malware websites where personal data could be at much higher risk; 

- Use public Wi-Fi carefully. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or data on unsecured networks.

Oman Air disinfecting plane interiors with Virus-Guard

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has adopted Virus-Guard’s disinfectant wipes. Designed for protection against swine flu, H1N1, H7N9, Ebola, Mers and Zika, Oman Air’ staff members now use the wipes to disinfect aircraft galleys, lavatories and door handles.

“We are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for our passengers and employees,” said Miguel Serra, VP of ground operations at Oman Air. “Our partnership with Virus-Guard helps to ensure that we are taking all of the necessary steps and precautions for swift and coordinated action against international health threats.”

In February, Oman Air announced that its leadership was monitoring the Zika virus situation in South America, posting additional information on its website from the World Health Organization and offering refunds and rebooking assistance to pregnant women scheduled to travel to the region.

Oman Air's use of Virus-Guard products is one of several necessary steps the airline is taking to minimise the threat of the Zika virus, as well as reduce the risk of the spread of this and other viruses and bacteria.

Virus-Guard disinfectant wipes are a ready-to-use product that provides long-term efficacy, and is an easy-to-use solution for eradicating germs. The wipes contain benzalkonium chloride, sodium pyrithione and polycondenstaes, a combination commonly used in hospitals and other medical treatment facilities. The wipes do not contain aldehyde or phenol. All Virus-Guard products are, biocompatible, approved for Airbus and Boeing craft, and boast a long-time antimicrobial effect.

“The number of infections by micro-organisms has grown tremendously,” said Alex, founder of Virus-Guard. “We are working diligently with our aviation industry partners to implement infection control measures and protocols. Our goal is to help these industry leaders to quickly adapt in order to continue to make customer safety their top priority.”

Flynas fights MERS, ebola with Virus Guard

Flynas, a low-cost airline from Saudi Arabia, has added Virus Guard disinfectant wet wipes and sprays to its in-flight hygiene programme.

In a region where MERS cases are on the rapid rise, and with over 1,000 cases reported to date, Flynas says it is determined to protect passengers and crew from viruses.

Flynas spokesperson Mrs Eman Yusuf, In-flight Services and On-board Product Manager, said: "Flynas will use the special wet wipes and sprays to disinfect all surface areas on board the aircraft such as galleys, ovens, lavatories, lavatory door handles, passenger tray tables, overhead bins, window blinds, seat pockets, armrests and so on. We make passenger safety and comfort a top priority and using Virus Guard will reassure them we are doing all we can to combat cross contamination."

"Typically, aircraft surfaces used or touched by passengers are rarely or never disinfected, but because our product is simple to use and extremely effective for up to 10 days, we're confident it can help to eliminate the risk of cross contamination," said Alex Sahni, a spokesperson for Virus Guard. 

Interested?

Book a Flynas flight

View what Virus Guard is effective against

What we now know about ebola

Source: WHO.

Update: As of October 20, two nurses who had cared for the index patient have caught ebola. There are allegations that the hospital was not properly prepared for the case, and they did not have proper equipment while they looked after him.

Update: The news broke on October 11 and 12 that a nurse who had cared for the first (index) case of ebola in the US had caught ebola herself. It is worrying because she had worn the full hazmat gear in caring for the patient, and that she cannot remember committing any breach of security, unlike a nurse in Spain who said she had accidentally touched her face with a gloved hand. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is firm that some breach of 'protocol' did occur; the question is where, or whether ebola is not well-understood enough.

The World Health Organization shared a list of ways in which the ebola virus may be transmitted on 6 October. While it's known that the virus is transmitted among humans through close and direct physical contact with infected bodily fluids, the most infectious are blood, faeces and vomit, the WHO said.

The virus has also been detected in breast milk, urine and semen. In a convalescent (recovering) male, the virus can persist in semen for at least 70 days; one study suggests persistence for more than 90 days. This implies that the virus can remain in semen for a longer period, but it remains unclear whether the virus can be transmitted through this method.

WHO also says that saliva and tears may also carry some risk of infection. However, the studies implicating these additional bodily fluids were extremely limited in sample size and the science is inconclusive. In studies of saliva, the virus was found most frequently in patients at a severe stage of illness. 

The whole live virus has never been isolated from sweat. This implies that sweat from a victim cannot transmit the virus.

The ebola virus can also be transmitted indirectly, by contact with previously contaminated surfaces and objects. The risk of transmission from these surfaces is low and can be reduced even further by appropriate cleaning and disinfection procedures.

Ebola virus disease is not an airborne infection. Airborne spread among humans implies that you can catch the virus from inhaling a suspended cloud of small dried droplets. This mode of transmission has not been observed during extensive studies of the ebola virus over several decades.

Theoretically, bigger droplets from a heavily infected individual, who has respiratory symptoms caused by other conditions or who vomits violently, could transmit the virus – over a short distance – to another nearby person. This could happen when virus-laden droplets are directly propelled, by coughing or sneezing (which does not mean airborne transmission) onto the mucus membranes or skin with cuts or abrasions of another person.

However, observation to date is that the spread of the virus via coughing or sneezing is rare, if it happens at all. Epidemiological data emerging from the outbreak are simply not consistent with the pattern of spread seen with airborne viruses, like those that cause measles and chickenpox, or the airborne bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

WHO is not aware of any studies that actually document this mode of transmission. On the contrary, good quality studies from previous ebola outbreaks show that all cases were infected by direct close contact with symptomatic patients.

There are also fears that the disease could change its mode of transmission. The WHO says scientists are unaware of any virus that has dramatically changed its mode of transmission. Speculation that ebola virus disease might mutate into a form that could easily spread among humans through the air is just that: speculation, unsubstantiated by any evidence.

For example, the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which has caused sporadic human cases since 1997, is now endemic in chickens and ducks in large parts of Asia. That virus has probably circulated through many billions of birds for at least two decades. Its mode of transmission remains basically unchanged.

The WHO is calling for more to be done to implement – on a much larger scale – well-known protective and preventive measures. Abundant evidence has documented their effectiveness, it says.

WHO downplays possibility of global ebola epidemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) provided an overview of the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa on 11 August and stressed that in countries with well-developed health systems, an epidemic is highly unlikely "given the epidemiology of the Ebola virus and experiences in past outbreaks".

The organisation noted that fear has led to a very high level of vigilance and clinical suspicion worldwide, stating that "such a high level of alert further increases the likelihood that any imported case will be quickly detected and properly managed, limiting onward transmission."

On the downside, the WHO observes that the same fear is compromising outbreak control when it causes airlines to refuse to transport personal protective equipment and courier services to refuse to transport properly and securely packaged patient samples to a WHO-approved laboratory.

Facts about Ebola

• The Ebola virus is highly contagious, but is not airborne. 
• Transmission requires close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, as can occur during health-care procedures, home care, or traditional burial practices. 
• The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, but patients become contagious only after the onset of symptoms. As symptoms worsen, the ability to transmit the virus increases. As a result, patients are usually most likely to infect others at a severe stage of the disease, when they are visibly, and physically, too ill to travel. 
• There is no cure. 
• Early detection and supportive care greatly improve prospects for survival. 

Read about the WHO announcement of the gravity of the EVD situation here, and how India and Singapore have prepared for the disease.