[petro45acp]

This is not really new. What is new revolves around the higher number of home computers connected to broadband. The worst offenders are those who connect their computer directly to the DSL or cable modem. These folks are putting a routable (visible) IP address right out there, and without some really strong firewall action, the computer is much easier to compromise.

A consumer grade router (linksys, dlink, etc) placed between the modem and the computer, with the default settings on the router changed is a good first step in combatting this. Additionally, most broadband providers offer a security suite with antivirus and firewall protection. This is a good thing.

Windows is susceptable because it is "feature rich," there is so many boxes out there runnig the OS, and so many folks running it stock.

[geopyg]

reminder to self to check this kind of stuff!

[DB]

Windows is susceptible because network security was an after thought at Microsoft. It wasn't until XP that their software didn't advertise its presence with numerous ports to the Internet. Many of which that could easily be compromised. Incredibly dumb.

And even now, one wrong click on attachment and you've opened yourself up for disaster. Other systems don't allow and operator to accidentally click on something and have it gain full access to your system. You have to be logged in as an administrator to install things which is not the normal state of using the computer. For Windows based systems anything less than administrator level is pretty much useless.