Posted on 11/03/2009 9:35:44 PM PST by Gomez
Now that we in the northern hemisphere have had some time to digest the Windows 7 hype and settle in for the coming winter, we thought we would get some more hard data regarding Windows 7 security.
On October 22nd, we settled in at SophosLabs and loaded a full release copy of Windows 7 on a clean machine. We configured it to follow the system defaults for User Account Control (UAC) and did not load any anti-virus software.
We grabbed the next 10 unique samples that arrived in the SophosLabs feed to see how well the newer, more secure version of Windows and UAC held up. Unfortunately, despite Microsoft's claims, Windows 7 disappointed just like earlier versions of Windows. The good news is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, 2 would not operate correctly under Windows 7.
User Account Control did block one sample; however, its failure to block anything else just reinforces my warning prior to the Windows 7 launch that UAC's default configuration is not effective at protecting a PC from modern malware.
Lesson learned? You still need to run anti-virus on Windows 7. Microsoft, in the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report released yesterday, stated that "The infection rate of Windows Vista SP1 was 61.9 percent less than that of Windows XP SP3."
But let's not get complacent. Microsoft seems to be saying that Vista is the least ugly baby in its family. You can be sure the next report will highlight its even less ugly younger sibling, Windows 7.
Why do I say this? As of October 31st www.netmarketshare.com states that Windows Vista has a 19% market share against Windows XP's 70.5% and Windows 7's 2%. Approximately 1 in 5 Windows users is using either Vista or Windows 7. These users often have newer computers, automatic patching, and firewalls and anti-virus software in place.
With millions of hosts still infected with Conficker, ZBot and Bredo, it is obvious a lot of unprotected machines are still out there, and it is no surprise that most of those are XP.
As the chart above shows, Windows 7 users need not feel left out. They can still participate in the ZBot botnet with a side of fake anti-virus. Windows 7 is no cure for the virus blues, so be sure to bring your protection when you boot up.
Ok lets load some mac based virus’s into a mac with no antivirus and see what happens.
I just clean installed Windows 7 yesterday..good thing I have a really good virus protection
There’s a reason that nobody does that.
Call me a renegade, but in my experience, Virus protection significantly hinders performance. I don’t use it. I disable UAC, as well. The only thing I have running is a firewall.
Somehow, I avoid infections... Including all the Spyware crap that I run scans for periodically. This stuff is more predominant, peskier and treacherous than viruses in my opinion, anyway.
My secret? Clean living, I guess.
I use Avast antivirus, never had any issues..great piece of software, and its free..I also use Spybot search and destroy, another great piece of free software. For Windows 7, the UAC is used sometimes, I have it for occasional use. Windows Vista was just a pain in the ass for me, so I decided to upgrade. Everything works fine, except my memory card reader that is in the computer no longer shows up. I guess it is not compatible. I have a Dell Inspiron 518 Desktop..so I hope in a few weeks there will be a fix for that
I'm still running 98SE (free AVAST, Tiny Firewall). I may not be as 'clean living' as you, perhaps it's my dial up, but I'm virus free. (I do have a ready set of XP PRO 64 disks on the shelf)
I've become even more adverse to CHANGE recently. /s
Whoever wrote this doesn’t seem to play on an even surface.
Should go without saying.
Had Vista for over a year now, I have had two computer lockups and zero viral infections. Best operating system I have ever had.
If you are running any flavor of Windows without virus protection, you are glutton for punishment.
The fact is the majority of it comes from searching for porn. If not your machine then Aunt Silvie's when she sends you a nude pic of Alyson Hannigan.
If you want good antivirus software, look at ESET's NOD32 Antivirus System.
No antivirus is perfect, but it certainly beats going without one.
I use Zone Alarm - what do you think of that program? Is it enough? Oh - and I have WinPatrol...
bmp!
You’re no renegade! You’re a common-sense thinking person. PCs are not like TVs. They have life and, unlike our Constitution, they are living entities subject to changes from even being connected to the Internet. I too live without virus scanners or UAC. I have a robust firewall rules list, and I regularly update my hosts file to ensure that the latest group of malware, spyware, and virus-producing sites go to a harmless 127.0.0.1.
Staying off of social networking sites, porn sites, using a browser OTHER than IE, deleting chain emails and those from who you don’t know, and changing the default settings on most security applications will keep you clean and safe.
Now don’t be completely fooled; I still run MalwareBytes and CCleaner on occasion. While I’m confident the viruses stay out, I still believe that external forces can muck up my machine without my knowledge. Preventative habits keep you safe but proactive scanning and knowledge of your system’s behavior when stable can help you to determine if that latest RSS reader or $1 bin video game was really a good download.
My machine is clean-- mostly because I contact Ms. Hannigan directly when I want a photo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.