The Q2 report from AVG also found that there is a definite shift, however, in the direction of what the IT security company calls tried and trusted malware such as SpyEye.
AVG says that its threat labs have seen an increase in the number of stolen digital certificates used to sign malware, before being distributed by hackers.
A significant increase of over 300% was spotted at the start of 2011, compared to the whole of 2010. As a result, the practice of trusting signed files is rapidly losing its strength.
Interestingly, the Q2 report found that, as Apple Macs continue to rise in popularity, they are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. And, notes the analysis, whilst it may be a new target platform, cybercriminals are using tried and tested social engineering techniques to attack Mac OS users.
The report also highlights an increase in the number of SpyEye infections, meaning that users of internet banking need to be extra vigilant, especially as victims of cyberattacks are increasingly considered to be accountable.
According to AVG, a recent court ruling in the US concluded that it was in fact the victim' responsibility to protect their account credentials, rather than the bank.
Delving into the report reveals that there are hundreds of live hacker servers operating around the globe, causing AVG to comment that WWW should now stand for World Wild Web.
As the attack techniques of hackers continue to get more advanced, the analysis says that users need to take action. Security products - with multiple layers of protection-, are a must-have in order to protect against the potentially damaging threats that lurk on the web.
The user's computer platform, notes AVG, has become irrelevant for the new generation of cybercriminals: Windows, Android, Mac and iOS are all targeted now, says the report.