Re: Mystisicm or real statistics?

["Larry Seltzer" <larry () larryseltzer com>]

Below is the press pitch they sent out. I think it's impossible, based
on what they say, to know exactly what they found.

Larry Seltzer
eWEEK.com Security Center Editor
http://security.eweek.com/
http://blogs.pcmag.com/securitywatch/
Contributing Editor, PC Magazine
larry.seltzer () ziffdavisenterprise com

-----Original Message-----
From: mbuggs () cpcomm com [mailto:mbuggs () cpcomm com] 
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:40 PM
To: larryseltzer () ziffdavis com
Subject: Critical info on Microsoft Vista security

Hi there -

We want to get the enclosed late breaking research into the hands of the
right media as quickly as possible.  We have worked with you on other PC
or security issues but if you are not the right person we would greatly
appreciate your passing this on for us.  

Microsoft has indicated that Vista is much more secure than XP which may
lead consumers to believe they no longer need malware protection once
they have Vista.  

A major worldwide research analysis by PC Tools (makers of Spyware
Doctor - world's favored anti-malware with more than 50 million
downloads) is being announced today.  Details are in the enclosed
release pasted below.

The research conducted with statistics from over 1.4 million computers
within the ThreatFire community shows that malware attacks on Vista
still allow a full 639 threats per thousand computers to get through.
That means that a Vista user still has more than a 50% chance of
becoming infected after suffering a malware attack unless they continue
to protect themselves with the proper security software.

PC Tools is making this information public immediately upon receiving
these findings to help protect the new Vista users coming online so that
they understand they must continue to use security software for their
own protection.

Thank you for helping us get this message out.  Let us know if you would
like to talk with a technical spokesperson from PC Tools and we can
arrange that.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PC Tools reveals Vista is not so immune
Windows Vista more susceptible to malware than Windows 2000

San Francisco, May 08 2008: Leading security software vendor, PC Tools,
today released research* confirming that the widely debated Windows
Vista is still a long way from having immunity to online threats and
that additional protection is essential.

"Microsoft has invested a great deal in making Vista more secure, by
providing a number of security enhancements which were not in prior
Microsoft operating system releases," said Simon Clausen, Chief
Executive Officer, PC Tools, "but industry experts have been reluctant
to confirm its improved resistance to malware with good reason."

"Ironically, the new operating system has been hailed by Microsoft as
the most secure version of Windows to date. However, recent research
conducted with statistics from over 1.4 million computers within the
ThreatFire community has shown that Windows Vista is more susceptible to
malware than the eight year old Windows 2000 operating system, and only
37% more secure than Windows XP," Clausen said.

"It only takes one attack to destroy a computer or allow hackers to
access your personal and financial information. These results suggest
that Vista is still leaving consumers vulnerable to an attack,
reinforcing the need for additional third-party protection," said
Clausen.

                  Unique threats per 1000 machines*
Windows 2000               586
Windows 2003               478
Windows XP                  1,021
Windows Vista              639

*Research conducted over 6 months by using anonymous statistics from the
ThreatFire community. Threats are confirmed against third-party
antivirus scanners. 

While research shows that there are currently fewer threats per machine
on Windows Vista than XP, there is a significant risk that the infection
rate could rise. PC Tools cautions that because Vista has a smaller
market share than its predecessor, targeted attacks are less frequent.
However, once Vista's market-share increases, it is likely to become a
more lucrative platform for attack.
"Since its launch, Microsoft has flagged the increased level of
protection Vista provides as one of the key reasons why consumers should
upgrade from Windows XP to Vista. If Microsoft's forecasts for the
operating system are correct and Vista's market share increases
significantly, we could expect infection rates to increase further on
Vista," said Clausen. 
While the rhetoric may suggest otherwise, PC Tools recommends that users
never run Vista without additional antivirus and antispyware protection.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Research was conducted over the last six months within the ThreatFire
community. Results were verified by checking against third-party
scanners and threat counts are distinct ie. if Malware A is caught more
than once in Machine A it is only counted once.

ABOUT THREATFIRE
ThreatFire uses advanced patent pending technology to detect signs of
malicious behavior commonly used by malware threats. ThreatFire is
unlike traditional anti-virus products that rely on signature technology
and require updating every time a new threat occurs. ThreatFire's
ActiveDefence Technology is able to identify and paralyze threats that
are too new or too sophisticated to be recognized by traditional
security software. ThreatFire is designed to only alert end users of
truly malicious behavior.

ABOUT PC TOOLS  
PC Tools is a global software leader with a cache of security and
utility products, including the multi award-winning Spyware Doctor(r).
PC Tools is an industry leader in real-time anti-spyware and has a
number of key patents pending.  
The PC Tools Malware Research Center monitors trends and emerging
spyware issues and provides security solutions for the consumer and
enterprise marketplace. The company is headquartered in Sydney, with
offices in San Francisco, London, Shannon (Ireland), Melbourne, Kiev,
and Boulder. PC Tools has a global network of distributors, resellers,
and retailers.

MEDIA CONTACTS 
Lauren Young 
Public Relations Manager  
PC Tools Software 
E: pr () pctools com  
Phone: +61 (0) 2 8922 6394 
Mobile: +61 410 541 562 

Magida Ezzat
Communications Manager
PC Tools Software
E: pr () pctools com
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9691 3576
Mobile:+ 61 411 156 152

Michael Greene
Vice President Product Strategy
PC Tools Software
Phone: + 1 303 641 7151
E:mgreene () pctools com 










K-3-1104002-24691665-2-176-AV1-F17C61CD







_______________________________________________
Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts.
https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec
Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list.