1. A method of detecting malicious binary executable files comprising the steps of: inputting a binary executable file; converting said binary executable file to byte hexadecimal text strings; calculating the frequency of each byte pattern in said byte hexadecimal text strings; selecting characteristic byte pattern frequencies as discriminating features; classifying said discriminating features as malicious or benign; labeling said binary executable file as malicious or benign; and outputting said labeled malicious or benign binary executable file.