Initial Disclosure Date: Jul 30, 2013

According to the National Police Agency (NPA), the Japanese police analyzed 385 malware or computer virus between January and June 2013. The number was 242 between January and December 2012, and this is the record-breaking figure on half-year basis since 2011. The agency believes that the increase is due to the growing number of illegal money transfer through online banking. ^(footnote:1)

While the Malware Analysis Center under the NPA analyzed 214 malware or computer virus out of 385, the information and communications division of each prefectural police department took care of 171. On November 1, 2012, the NPA established the Malware Analysis Center to analyze malware which local police requested to analyze and input the analysis results in a database in order to consolidate all the relevant information. ^(footnote:2)

The number of malware attached to spear phishing emails almost doubled to approximately 210, compared to the corresponding period last year. Also, the number of malware used for illegal money transfer through online banking increased from zero to about 80. ^(footnote:3)

The NPA points out that cyber crimes are becoming more sophisticated. Some of malware is coded to make analysis challenging. Although Drive-by downloads are increasing, it is difficult for victims to realize the infection. The police urge citizens to enhance their security. ^(footnote:4)

Sources:

1. Jiji, “Uirusu kaiseki, kako saita = hyotekigata meru ya husei sokin  ‘komyoka susunda’ Keisatsu-cho [The National Police Agency analyzed more computer virus used for phishing emails and illegal money transfer than ever over the last six months ],” July 25, 2013,
   http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201307/2013072500241
   Nihon Keizai Shimbun, “Husei puroguramu kaiseki kensu, kamihanki saita no 385 ken Keisatsu-cho [The National Police Agency analyzed 385 malware or computer virus over the last six months  this is the largest number on first half year basis],” July 25, 2013,
   http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2501H_V20C13A7CR0000/
2. Asahi Shimbun, “Husei puroguramu kaiseki, joho wo ichigenka Keisatsu-cho ga shinsosiki [The National Police Agency established a new center to consolidate analysis results in one database],” November 1, 2012
   http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1101/TKY201211010220.html
   Nihon Keizai Shimbun, “Husei puroguramu kaiseki kensu, kamihanki saita no 385 ken Keisatsu-cho [The National Police Agency analyzed 385 malware or computer virus over the last six months  this is the largest number on first half year basis],” July 25, 2013,
   http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDG2501H_V20C13A7CR0000/
3. Jiji, “Uirusu kaiseki, kako saita = hyotekigata meru ya husei sokin  ‘komyoka susunda’ Keisatsu-cho [The National Police Agency analyzed more computer virus used for phishing emails and illegal money transfer than ever over the last six months],” July 25, 2013,
   http://www.jiji.com/jc/zc?k=201307/2013072500241
4. NHK News Web, “Keisatsu no uirusu kaiseki kensu ga kako saita ni [The National Police Agency analyzed the record-breaking number of malware],” July28, 2013,
   http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20130728/k10013349761000.html

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