PandaLabs, the anti-malware laboratory at multinational security vendor Panda Security, has detected over 225 000 new malware strains per day during the first quarter of the year, with peaks reaching 500 000.

This is based on analysis of global IT security episodes from January to March 2015 and according to Panda Security the results represent a 40% increase over the same period last year and well above the daily average for that year.

Panda Security country manager Jeremy Matthews is quoted as saying, "It comes as no surprise that malware continues to grow in this day and age, we've seen a dramatic increase in cyber-crime in recent months and cyber-criminals continue to exceed expectations. The need for effective endpoint security and strong policies, not only on desktops but on mobile platforms as well, is more critical than ever."

In a statement to the media PandaLabs confirmed that the first months of the year were dominated by ransomware attacks, especially 'CryptoLocker'.

"It is safe to say that ransomware has become cyber-criminals' preferred method to make money from companies' stolen information," the company stated.

Other popular attack methods exploited over the past quarter include social networks scams and mobile malware.

Android was the main target for mobile malware attacks, this time through malicious SMS messages, the company added.

Panda Security could not provide statistics regarding infection rates across Africa.

However, Matthew Stevens, Panda technical support, believes the continent has a high rate of infection.

"From personal experience with customers, it is safe to say that Africa has a high rate of infection, but a low targeted rate of attacks. One of the most common forms of malware currently being distributed is ransomware. This malware uses clever social engineering to get users to run the malware. The number of poorly educated PC users contributes to the growth of this type of malware. Unfortunately the number of victims paying the ransom is growing and this is primarily due to the lack of backups and efficient backup procedures in Africa."