About 32 Million Vulnerable Apps and Files Uncovered in Q3, Says Kaspersky
Kaspersky, company that offers award-winning antivirus and mobile security software, recently announced that during Q3 2010 it uncovered almost 32 million vulnerable applications and files on users’ computers. The fact that there were so many vulnerable apps and files is a disturbing statistic on its own.
Here comes something that’s even more disturbing, as explained by Kaspersky in a press release: “The ten most widespread vulnerabilities even included some for which vendors had distributed patches in the period 2007-2009.” That’s right, users simply did not apply the latest patches and updates, they were running vulnerable applications.
If you want to stay safe and secure, you must ensure your system is patched and up-to-date. You must ensure the applications running on your computer are up-to-date and you must use a properly good security software solution that is up-to-date as well. Cybercriminals are keen to use any means to gain access and resources on a targeted computer. Using vulnerable applications - especially when the vulnerability is publicly known - only makes the cybercriminal’s job that much easier.
"Cybercriminals often use flaws in program code to gain access to data and resources on targeted computers. Malicious programs that are designed especially to take advantage of these vulnerabilities are called exploits and are increasingly widespread. Unfortunately, many users do not regularly update the software on their computers. This explains why exploits for patched vulnerabilities are still amongst the most widespread malicious programs detected on users’ computers," said Kaspersky in a press release.
In related news, you may want to know that Virus Bulletin, a highly reputable testing organization whose goal is to measure the detection effectiveness and quality of antivirus products, gave Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab, the VB2010 Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his work in the antimalware industry. Eugene Kaspersky has more than 20 years of experience under his belt; he co-founded Kaspersky Lab in 1997, and was appointed CEO in 2007.
Here comes something that’s even more disturbing, as explained by Kaspersky in a press release: “The ten most widespread vulnerabilities even included some for which vendors had distributed patches in the period 2007-2009.” That’s right, users simply did not apply the latest patches and updates, they were running vulnerable applications.
If you want to stay safe and secure, you must ensure your system is patched and up-to-date. You must ensure the applications running on your computer are up-to-date and you must use a properly good security software solution that is up-to-date as well. Cybercriminals are keen to use any means to gain access and resources on a targeted computer. Using vulnerable applications - especially when the vulnerability is publicly known - only makes the cybercriminal’s job that much easier.
"Cybercriminals often use flaws in program code to gain access to data and resources on targeted computers. Malicious programs that are designed especially to take advantage of these vulnerabilities are called exploits and are increasingly widespread. Unfortunately, many users do not regularly update the software on their computers. This explains why exploits for patched vulnerabilities are still amongst the most widespread malicious programs detected on users’ computers," said Kaspersky in a press release.
In related news, you may want to know that Virus Bulletin, a highly reputable testing organization whose goal is to measure the detection effectiveness and quality of antivirus products, gave Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab, the VB2010 Lifetime Achievement Award to honor his work in the antimalware industry. Eugene Kaspersky has more than 20 years of experience under his belt; he co-founded Kaspersky Lab in 1997, and was appointed CEO in 2007.
