A recent report from Panda Security revealed that 25 million new types of malware were launched in 2009, while only 15 million were identified in the previous 20 years.
Commenting on the findings, spokesman Javier Merchan said that the organisation believes the number of malware threats will increase 'exponentially' during the coming 12 months.
The representative explained that hackers are increasingly motivated by financial gain rather than achieving fame for releasing viruses.
In addition, he pointed out that cloud-based security solutions allow malware to be detected and defeated in a faster time than ever, but noted that this means hackers are launching new versions in response to this.
'Cybercriminals are making more and more samples in order to infect as many users as possible and also to avoid [anti-virus] detections,' Mr Merchan explained.
The Panda Security research also showed trojans that target online banking and payment systems and fake anti-virus programs are among the new forms of malware which were launched in 2009.
Commenting on the findings, spokesman Javier Merchan said that the organisation believes the number of malware threats will increase 'exponentially' during the coming 12 months.
The representative explained that hackers are increasingly motivated by financial gain rather than achieving fame for releasing viruses.
In addition, he pointed out that cloud-based security solutions allow malware to be detected and defeated in a faster time than ever, but noted that this means hackers are launching new versions in response to this.
'Cybercriminals are making more and more samples in order to infect as many users as possible and also to avoid [anti-virus] detections,' Mr Merchan explained.
The Panda Security research also showed trojans that target online banking and payment systems and fake anti-virus programs are among the new forms of malware which were launched in 2009.
