Posted on 05/31/2011 9:33:35 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
Does it seem like there is a lot of malware out there lately? Well, that’s because there is. Microsoft reported that one out of every 14 programs downloaded is Windows malware, and Internet Explorer (IE) blocks between 2 and 5 million attacks for IE8 and IE9 users.
That really is a lot of malware.
An article at PC Magazine stated:
Application Reputation, a security feature of IE9, not only uses URL-based methods to detect sites that could be hiding malware, but also looks at the file itself and determines if others have downloaded it. A newly created file might not be malware, but it could also be, Jeb Haber, the program manager lead for SmartScreen, noted.American Public Media added that Microsoft claims the bad guys are getting more sneaky about convincing people to upload the malware:
IE8 added another layer of protection, also based on URLs (or Web addresses), to protect users from sites that offered malicious downloads and used social engineering techniques (“Run this to watch movies for free, download this security software to clean your machine, or get great emoticons!”) to get users to download and run them. URL-based protection from socially engineered malware attacks is an important layer of defense for consumers today on the Web.Apple users shouldn’t get to smug, however. Mac OS has been hit with a fake anti-virus, MacDefender, and now it appears there is an even more dangerous Apple OS malware, MacGuard.
Yet, while Microsoft recognizes that malware is a problem, Apple doesn't seem ready to make that admission. A ZDNet blog reported:
Apple appears to be treating this outbreak as if it were a single incident that won’t be repeated. They seriously underestimate the bad guys, who are not idiots. Peter James, an Intego spokeperson, told me his company’s analysts were “impressed by the quality of the original version.” The quick response to Apple’s move suggests they are capable of churning out new releases at Internet speeds, adapting their software and their tactics as their target—Apple—tries to put up new roadblocks.
ping please
Someone out there is downloading a whole boatload of malware, because I haven’t DL’ed any in my experience of 20 years or so.
Me either, but we would be stupid to think we are the typical computer user. I believe this is a lot more typical user: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/154575/20110531/mac-guard-assails-teen-girl-s-computer.htm
Are Apple users used to downloading any old thing like Windows users are? If users categorically recognized the “offers” as bogus they would pass them up. At least, being based on the Unix model, damage by Apple (or Linux) malware is generally limited to the account of the user that gets the virus. It can’t wipe the whole machine unless it can learn the root password.
Hey now... don’t go bringin’ no reality to q’fer’s trolling hatefest....
So, what does the Mac virus do? Popup gay porn ads. Interesting!
I have a lot of Facebook friends who click on all softs of stupid things. If it’s on their wall and some friend has clicked on it they think it’s ok. I am always putting warnings not to click on things but they do anyway. Click click click.... I personally think places like FB are where a LOT of people pick of stuff...
Well I’m going to let you in on a little something I’ve noted for over two years now. I’ll probably get in trouble for this but it’s the truth.
Almost everytime I click on Lucianne.com I get a notice from IE that they had to close that link because something rotten this way comes.
Once in a while it gets through (I have IE 9) and I get one of those infamous CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR COMPUTER THINGS. I’ve been there and done that. It’s one of those things where they tell you your computer’s about to explode if you don’t buy their software to cure your puter’s ills.
I don’t know what they do at Lucianne but they are always having these kind of problems.
FYI.
Why did you leave windows off that list? Same goes for windows.
There was an article not long ago that tested IE8, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox against malware and IE8 came in first with an 83% rejection rate, firefox waas 2nd , Safari 3rd and chrome was last. IE9 has improved on IE8.
I also read an article a while back that surveyed Computer Security Experts about their biggest worry in the future and the number on worry was the lack of security on mobile devices (tablet/Phones) of all platforms. The second worry was the rise in attacks on Apple computers due to the lack of awareness by the owners in recognizing an attack/infection.
(Apple fans do not jump on this using the first Official Apple Corporate response to MAc Defender)
I switched over to Google Chrome, and have had no more problems with it. Haven't tried IE9 yet. If it's not broke, why fix it?
see the post above yours. Interesting. One says IE8 is most secure and chrome the least. And your post implies chrome is more secure.
Not one mention of Linux in the whole article... ;-)
We know the linux crowd is too smart to fall for the BS the mac crowd fell
You know, I used to be a member there, but haven’t been there in a very long time (probably after I started coming here instead). I also stopped using IE a long time ago (used Netscape and then Firefox—have no clue if that makes a difference) and now I have a Mac. Please don’t anyone jump on me, I’m not saying if that makes a difference, just stating a fact.
I am pretty careful where I surf, altho I have in the past few years gotten infected (whereas I surfed for about 15 years without ever getting anything, a lot of those years without any sort of virus protection).
I can only say that if things continue down the current path I wonder if the internet as we know it won’t change in a big way. Who wants to constantly have to fight this stuff? The average person doesn’t know what to do when they get a bug and they don’t want to spend the time and effort and money required to get them off. They don’t want the risk of having their info stolen. And no one seems to either be able to or want to do anything about the bad guys who do this stuff (this may not be true but it’s the perception).
I'll take Chrome over IE8 any day. Haven't been bit with anything since I switched. It's way faster too.
Yep Chrome is way faster than IE8. And IE9 is way faster than Chrome :-)
Keep them competing because we all win!
Period.
/.02
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