Microsoft Finds 60 Percent Infection Rate in PCs
Six out of 10 Windows computers checked by Microsoft over a recent 15-month period harbored malicious software, the company reported yesterday at its Tech Ed conference in Boston. The programs, known as bots, infect PCs with software that can be used to steal identity data, distribute spam, or assault Web sites. Microsoft's report indicates that the problem is widespread. Microsoft's Matthew Braverman says, "We're seeing an extremely active level of activity. Most malicious software we see today affecting Windows customers is more tied to financial gain." Cyber intrusions are becoming more commonplace as increasing numbers of consumers use high-speed Internet connections and the Web more often. Symantec's David Cole reports that there is a strong correlation between increases in broadband adoption and rising incidents involving bot-infected computers. He says, "Every time we see a spike in broadband adoption, we see a correlating spike in bot-infected machines." Microsoft culled its data from the 5.7 million Microsoft consumers and small business owners who used its free scanning tool from January 2005 to March 2006. Microsoft found at least one "backdoor Trojan" on 3.5 million PCs, while 20 percent of the PCs checked during one period had been cleaned, then infected again.
© Copyright 2006 INFORMATION, INC.
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