Anti-viruses are cool: SA computers unprotected [TechEd]

Even in an age of Anonymous, dirty hackers, and constantly evolving malware, there are still computers out there that aren’t secure. According to Microsoft, one in every four computers in South Africa is unprotected.

At this year’s TechEd Africa, the Redmond-based company presented its key findings from Microsoft’s Security Intelligence Report volume 14 (SIRv14). The report emphasises the need for up-to-date real-time antivirus or anti-malware protection.

“Without this vital protection layer, these systems are five times more likely to be infected with malware,” says Microsft. “Web-based attacks the biggest threat facing enterprises as network worms wane.”

According to the report, network worms are on the decline and web-based attacks have risen to become the number one threat facing enterprises today.

According to Khomotso Kganyago, chief security adviser at Microsoft South Africa, Autorun threats reported by enterprise computers decreased by 37% from 2011 to 2012. Kganyago states that seven out of the top 10 threats affecting enterprises were “associated with malicious or compromised websites”.

Enterprise vulnerable

According the Microsoft, enterprises are more likely to encounter the iFrame redirection technique than any other malware family tracked in 2012. The report found that IframeRef was particularly problematic and increased fivefold in the last quarter of 2012 emerging as the top malicious technique encountered by enterprises worldwide detected nearly 3.3-million times.

“People intuitively understand the importance of locking their front door to prevent their homes from being broken into. Computer security is no different. Surfing the Internet without up-to-date anti-virus is like leaving your front door open to criminals,” said Kganyago.

SIRv14 explains some of the most prevalent threats facing consumers online:

Think before you click: Microsoft detected and removed malicious email attachments from almost three million computers in the fourth quarter of 2012. People encounter this type of threat when opening documents, such as a PDF or Word document, that have been maliciously crafted and sent to them in an email. Antivirus can help to prevent infection from this type of attack.

Bargain hunters beware: Keygen, a threat family commonly bundled with malware, was detected almost seven-million times in the fourth quarter of 2012. People seeking free or discounted software, movies or games online increase the risk of encountering this type of threat Antivirus can help to protect against this.

Consumers don’t update

According to the tech giant, users don’t seem inclined to update their antivirus once the expiry date for their free trials has past. According to Kganyago four out of 10 computers are unprotected and people don’t seem to understand the importance of an antivirus.

“Regardless of whether you use a free or paid for solution, the importance of Antivirus cannot be overstated,” said Kganyago. “By taking the proper measures to protect your computer, including the most basic step of installing Antivirus, people can dramatically reduce their risk of becoming a victim.”