Security Software Doesn’t Fix Human Nature

[leofelix]

I have just read the following article by Bill Pytlovany (developer of Winpatrol) and I'd like to share it with you.

Security Software Doesn’t Fix Human Nature

If you’re interested in PC Security, you’ll want to check a look at research recently compiled by the folks at PC Pitstop. Even I was surprised at how much people mistakenly rely on their security software. The research shows that even with some of the most popular and/or highest quality protection computers are still at risk.

http://techtalk.pcpitstop.com/2010/05/13/the-state-of-pc-security/

It’s not uncommon for a system to be infected and users won’t even know it. Even more common is folks have no clue how an infiltration could have possibility happened. Nine times out ten it will result from a social engineered attack on our human nature. No matter how often people claim they don’t download strange software, they will. They just won’t immediately know it’s a bad file to download or bad link to click on.

more

I think it is worth a reading, many opinions and thoughts might originate for an interesting discussion.
I believe you will find interesting the link to PC pistop research which shows that:

PC Pitstop Research analyzed 50,258 computers and found the following:

* 23% of computers have no active security protection.
* 14% of the computers had some sort of high level threat.
* Spyware is the most common malware threat followed by Rogue Security Software.

have a nice reading

[safeguy]

I did I mean I had a nice reading...

This only adds upon to my strong belief that the no.1 tool to prevent malware on your PC is you yourself...the author of the article Bill Pytlovany (developer of Winpatrol) had indeed used the right words when he said this:

There may be one coming that will fool you so always be skeptical.

Surprisingly most web users take things at face value...and this habit need to change for the better sake of the users themselves.

As for the line that says "23% of computers have no active security protection.", I can vouch for that A lot of my offline friends don't use any security software at all...or they would use an outdated and expired Norton or McAfee...which is equivalent to pointless. And when I try to convince them into using free AV, most would give me a "heck-I-don't-give-a-damn-and-what-are-you-talking-about" look. So far, only one of my best buddies is currently using Avira (upon my strong recommendation) and he hasn't looked back.

As for "Spyware is the most common malware threat followed by Rogue Security Software. " - absolutely on the dot. My first encounter was with a spyware (which Spybot cleaned for me - I will remember that day forever) and subsequent encounters (thanks to a relative) was rogueware. And trust me when I said it was among the worst days of my life - had a tough job getting rid of the bloody pest.

And in any case if you're unfortunate to be infected with one - take a look here: Simple Guide to Remove Malware There's no guarantee but it's worth a shot trying out what's written there when in desperate measures.

And as they always say: Prevention is better than cure.

[Swarup]

23% of computers have no active security protection.

absolutely true - most of my friend not use AV or either they use AV which is outdated.
But Security Software Doesn’t Fix Human Nature I love this title

what about remaining 63% user

[sujay]

what about remaining 63% user

See here



Btw.. A worth read Leofelix...

[hellnoire]

Bill's one of those that I love when he rants, because he does so much at once, it's amazing. Also helps I did a review and have had a license of his Pro version of WinPatrol for a long time. I've been tempted to try his other program, the TaskCatcher... but perhaps another day.

[safeguy]

WinPatrol is admittedly good but the really good feature is in the Pro version that detects items that want to be placed into startup. Unfortunately, not all of us can pay for that...that's my issue with it. And the price doesn't weight the benefits in my opinion....Bill should let users use that feature for free (if he's truly trying to help the security conscious community) and perhaps include other features to the Pro version. Can someone contact Bill and say that to him?

[leofelix]

@ Safeguy: even Winpatrol free can detect items who want to set themselves in autostart or in runonce.
The main difference with Winpatrol Plus are:
1) Winpatrol Plus displays informations on whatever file you want on line
2) Winpatrol Plus alterts immediately, Winpatrol free well, you have to wait 2 minutes (if I remember right)
3) Hidden file detection is immediate

[hellnoire]

@ Safeguy: even Winpatrol free can detect items who want to set themselves in autostart or in runonce.
The main difference with Winpatrol Plus are:
1) Winpatrol Plus displays informations on whatever file you want on line
2) Winpatrol Plus alterts immediately, Winpatrol free well, you have to wait 2 minutes (if I remember right)
3) Hidden file detection is immediate

Right on all counts... I'm using WinPatrol Pro that I paid for myself, before writing or even joining Raymond.cc, best software I've used to date (if you ask me).

[safeguy]

@leofelix

My mistake then...cause if I remembered correctly, the last time I read the Comparison chart, it wasn't that way..the free version didn't had that feature. Never mind then...good news for free users then. Or for me...cause I wasn't really aware of it.

[grr]

Worth reading.

Hope we get some knowledge out of this post..Amen!!