Windows 7 not safe from viruses?

Now that we in the arctic hemisphere accept had some time to abstract the Windows 7 advertising and achieve in for the advancing winter, we anticipation we would get some added harder abstracts apropos Windows 7 security.

On October 22nd, we acclimatized in at SophosLabs and loaded a abounding absolution archetype of Windows 7 on a apple-pie machine. We configured it to chase the arrangement defaults for User Account Control (UAC) and did not amount any anti-virus software.

We affective the next 10 different samples that accustomed in the SophosLabs augment to see how able-bodied the newer, added defended adaptation of Windows and UAC captivated up. Unfortunately, admitting Microsoft's claims, Windows 7 aghast just like beforehand versions of Windows. The acceptable account is that, of the freshest 10 samples that arrived, 2 would not accomplish accurately beneath Windows 7.

Table of malware samples activated adjoin Windows 7

User Account Control did block one sample; however, its abortion to block annihilation abroad just reinforces my admonishing above-mentioned to the Windows 7 barrage that UAC's absence agreement is not able at attention a PC from avant-garde malware.

Lesson learned? You still charge to run anti-virus on Windows 7. Microsoft, in the Microsoft Aegis Intelligence Address appear yesterday, declared that "The infection amount of Windows Vista SP1 was 61.9 percent beneath than that of Windows XP SP3."

But let's not get complacent. Microsoft seems to be adage that Vista is the atomic animal babyish in its family. You can be abiding the next address will highlight its even beneath animal adolescent sibling, Windows 7.

Why do I say this? As of October 31st www.netmarketshare.com states that Windows Vista has a 19% bazaar allotment adjoin Windows XP's 70.5% and Windows 7's 2%. Approximately 1 in 5 Windows users is application either Vista or Windows 7. These users generally accept newer computers, automated patching, and firewalls and anti-virus software in place.

With millions of hosts still adulterated with Conficker, ZBot and Bredo, it is accessible a lot of caught machines are still out there, and it is no abruptness that a lot of of those are XP.

As the blueprint aloft shows, Windows 7 users charge not feel larboard out. They can still participate in the ZBot botnet with a ancillary of affected anti-virus. Windows 7 is no cure for the virus blues, so be abiding to accompany your aegis if you cossack up.