Web-based malware increased by more than 23 per cent over the last month, according to a study.

Research carried out by security software firm MessageLabs also found that the launch of malicious program removal tools has decreased the previously-threatening storm botnet to five per cent of its original size, reports Computer Weekly.

However, according to the technology news provider, the survey indicated that 36.1 per cent of malware attacks last month were new, an overall increase of 23.3 per cent for the month.

Mark Sunner, chief security analyst at MessageLabs, said: "April was a month of unpredictability, with the mighty storm botnet losing all but five per cent of its anonymous army and web-based malware reaching new levels."

Last month, online security watchdog Get Safe Online said that people are naturally worried about who has access to their personal information online, but although they should be aware of the security issues involved, they need not be afraid of putting data onto the internet.


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