Malware authors are adopting open source development models to develop more potent threats. It's well known among security experts that botnet clients such as SDBot are written in a modular framework that allows hackers to add features that, for example, facilitate its spread through IM networks or add more potent attack features.

But open source development models are also playing a role in Windows rootkit development, according to a recently published study by net security firm McAfee. It says that open source principles, as practiced in the malware-writing community, are affecting the evolution of threats a phenomenon it describes as "good intentions gone awry".

The first edition of McAfee's Global Threat Report also looks at how the introduction of financial incentives to malware development has spawned more potent spyware and Trojan threats.

McAfee has a strong case when it argues that the chance to make money has fostered "more professional" malware development. However, it is on rockier ground with its contention that open source development is increasing the potency of malware threats. Aside from the obvious point that malware remains a largely Windows-only phenomenon, improved education or better software development tools could be just as much to blame.

Since McAfee didn't blame Visual Basic for the creation of Visual Basic threats, such as the infamous Anna Kournikova worm, it's hardly in the position to point the finger at open source development models.

But that's our take. Readers are invited to make up their own mind by reviewing McAfee's Global Threat Report themselves, which is available here (registration required). ®