The Bit9 report for this year is now online, corporate users got this at the beginning of the month.

No real surprises as to the dodgy stuff - unless you prefer to believe the l33t g33k forums etc

http://www.bit9.com/files/Vulnerable_Apps_DEC_08.pdf

Sorry Spinner, tell us what what it means by "vulnerable applications" and looking at the list, I can't see any dodgy stuff...

To tell you the truth, I use about 6 or 7 of those programs...


Is it a problem to look out for?

Vulnerable Applications are ones which, when used, are exposing your computer to viruses, malware or hackers from the internet. In short, those are the top 12 most dodgy applications you can run on your computer when online.

Firefox being the most dodgy was a no-brainer, but its quite surprising to see both Adobe and Sun (flash and Java respectively) higher up the list than Norton.

Edited at 17:59 Tue 16/12/08 (GMT)

So by using Safari and running adobe and java, by using skype and live messenger, and by using all the Apple applications, I can be attacked very easily.

Using Norton as my anti-virus means that these attacks won't be picked up and it is another channel of entry...

So why does Norton get installed as a trial on new laptops and effectively bonding you to a contract?

*nodes along pretending to know this stuff*

I've heard that Internet Explorer was the most vunerable.

Can anyone confirm/not confirm this?

Not at all. It isn't even in the list above as you will notice.

IE is the most patched, which many people misunderstand to think it means its least secure, when it actually means the complete opposite.

Double Post.

Edited at 11:20 Thu 18/12/08 (GMT)

Although now fixed apparently, take a look at this:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20081218/twl-microsoft-fixes-explorer-flaw-3fd0ae9.html

When running applications they are never flawless, reading articles like this tends to scare the crap out of people for no reason.



That's completely incorrect, they are the common applications. There are thousands of completely unsecure applications floating round the web.


As far as protecting yourself, it's down to you to be conscious of certain basic rules for example; don't download anything your not 100% sure of where it's coming from and what it is. This includes following links sent through msn etc?

Oh and merry Christmas

Edited at 06:37 Mon 22/12/08 (GMT)