Security Information: Windows Vista more vulnerable than Windows 2000
“Microsoft boasts its new Vista operating system as the Windows version of the safest. However, despite all the investments made by Microsoft to improve Windows security, experts from PC Tools remain somewhat reassured about its effectiveness respond to threats. Indeed, a recent research conducted on nearly 1.4 million computers in the Fire Threat community has demonstrated that Windows Vista is more sensitive to malware as Windows 2000, and only 37% more secure than Windows XP, “said Simon Clausen , CEO of PC Tools.
Number of threats recencés for 1 000 computers
Windows 2000 586
Windows 2003 478
Windows XP 1 021
Windows Vista 639
While this study shows that there are currently less threatened in Windows Vista than in XP, it must be stressed that the risk of infection rates could increase. Indeed, experts from PC Tools stressed that the targeted attacks are less frequent in Vista because this version has a market share of less importance than the previous version. Therefore, when the market share of Vista will have increased, it is highly probable that the system becomes a target of attacks.
“Since its launch, Microsoft has relied on the fact that the level of protection provided Vista optimum protection to entice users to switch from Windows XP to Vista. If the forecasts on the Microsoft operating system are fair and that the market shares of Vista are increasing significantly, we can expect an increase in infection rates faster with Vista, “Simon Clausen. In this context, PC Tools recommends that users do not use Vista without antivirus and antispyware protection further. For more information on the results of this survey, interviews can be arranged with Mike Kronberg, head francophone PC Tools.