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.
Right here:
* If the malware is not effective, it is NOT a problem for the OS.
Is where you go off the ranch. All malware written against an OS is a problem. If the OS deals with it before it starts tearing up systems then it’s a solved problem, but it’s still a problem. It is a security threat that someone deliberately created to attempt to undermine the OS, that is a problem.
If I were still feeding the Troll, I would point out that a Trojan is not a virus; it is merely a user installed application with a malicious intent. Good thing I’m not feeding that Troll, though.
If I were feeding the Troll, I might point out that words have import; meaning.
maybe |ˈmābē|Both of these words are used whenever there is a question of controversy or validity about the matter. I don't see anything there about "not really part of the point" in those definitions. Ergo, the usage was intentional UNCERTAINTY.
adverb
perhaps; possibly : maybe I won't go back | maybe she'd been wrong to accept this job.
noun
a mere possibility or probabilityperhaps |pərˈ(h)aps|
adverb
used to express uncertainty or possibility : perhaps I should have been frank with him.
- used when one does not wish to be too definite or assertive in the expression of an opinion : perhaps not surprisingly, he was cautious about committing himself.
- used when making a polite request, offer, or suggestion : would you perhaps consent to act as our guide?
- used to express reluctant or qualified agreement or acceptance : “She understood him better than his wife ever did.” “Perhaps so, but …”
Are we living on the other side of the Looking Glass where a word means what the Red Queen wants it to mean?
Yep, I ran out of cookies many hours ago. See ya elsewhere...
Trojans are malware, and that’s what the discussion has been about. You guys really do take pride in your rudeness and lies don’t you.
Notice, it is possible, even probable. Once again you lie.
You didn’t run out of anything. You got cornered in constant repeated lies.
It is interesting to watch a person who is obviously wrong devolve to using ad hominem attacks such as calling his opponents "liars." Those who are without facts to defend their position attack the person of their opponent and call them names, hoping to marginalize them and their facts. A certain troll on this thread has been doing this on almost every one of his recent posts. It is a typical methodology used by Liberals.
He cannot even use English words for their correct definitions and when called on it, repeats the offense.
His attempt to redefine a well known indisputable fact—that Windows is the most attacked and breached operating system in the world—as something disputable by either asserting that it is only a matter of being only "possible" (as though it requires further proof to confirm its truth) or even "probable" (questioning by implication its certainty because "probable" implies that it is not certain), is a very slick form of lying itself.
If I were still feeding that Troll, I would probably point out his lack of honesty.
But you're not, since (in the words of Richard Nixon), "That would be wrong, that's for sure." ;-)
Here’s some more quotes from me:
that’s really the danger point in Windows, there’s way too many times a Windows machine is running code from god knows where without the user having any idea or buy in.
Is Windows the most vulnerable? Yes.
Windows had more malware aimed at it and was more vulnerable.
Windows has more malware problems and is more vulnerable to the malware.
Where exactly is the “uncertainty”? Maybe you really are lying. See how I used that “maybe” there, because he know for a fact you’re lying. These quote show that everything you said about what I wrote is a lie.
Looks as if the Troll still wants to play... it's still baiting us.
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