How Windows Gets Infected With Malware

Orome1 writes "Since Up to 85 % of all virus infections occur as a result of drive-by attacks automated via commercial exploit kits, CSIS has actively collected real time data from them for a period of three months. The purpose of their study is to reveal precisely how Microsoft Windows machines are infected with malware and which browsers, versions of Windows and third party software that are at risk. They monitored more than 50 different exploit kits on 44 unique servers / IP addresses. The statistical material covers all in all more than half a million user exposures out of which as many as 31.3 % were infected with the virus/malware due to missing security updates."

Comments

70% on fully updated installs.

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

Salient point is that, fully updated and patched installs let 70% of the infections through.

Re:70% on fully updated installs.

[houstonbofh]

I also think Linux is bad for the average user, because while it is more secure than Windows by default, if you muck with it you can cause vastly more damage to the system if you are in the "just enough knowledge to be dangerous" camp. Ubuntu goes a long way towards this, but it needs an even friendlier interface (IMHO) for system setup and config. We won't get that till an OEM adopts it seriously for end user platforms.

I have set up a laptop for 2 different client's wives with Ubuntu. Both were non-computer experts, and kept getting every infection known to man. After setting them up (Over 2 years ago) I never say those laptops again. I still see the clients, but they say the laptops are running perfect. Lost a lot of business there, and from happy clients. :) Ooops...