Malware writers are turning to boot record malware to infect systems a throwback to earlier forms of malware. Researchers there have a doubling of master boot record (or MBR) malware between 2009 and 2010, with 2011 on track to double it again. The increase may be due to the release of open source code for the BootRoot MBR malware, Symantec said. New variants are mostly one-off creations and are being used as ransomware software used to hijack a victim s PC in exchange for payment.
Source: https://threatpost.com/symantec-boot-sector-malware-vogue-080911/75519/