SINGAPORE, November 4, 2013 – Microsoft Corp. has released its Security Intelligence Report Volume 15, which analyzes threat intelligence from over a billion systems worldwide to provide in-depth perspectives on exploits, vulnerabilities and malware to help customers manage risk. Among other intelligence, the report examines the security risk that consumers and businesses face when using unsupported operating systems and software and looks at the implications of using Windows XP once support, including security updates, ends on April 8, 2014. In addition, new telemetry compares the security of modern operating systems like Windows 8 to older operating systems like Windows XP that according to StatCounter, make up approximately 20 percent of operating systems used today worldwide, and around 10 percent in Singapore.
For those that are running Windows XP, the report found that the top three worldwide threats were:
- Sality – Malware family that can steal your personal information and lower your PC security settings.
- Ramnit – Malware that infects Windows executable files, Microsoft Office files, and HTML files.
- Vobfus – Family of worms that can download other malware onto your PC; can be downloaded by other malware or spread via removable drives, such as USB flash drives.
In Singapore, the report showed that the following threats were most prevalent:
- Autorun – A family of worms that spreads by copying itself to networks or removable drives of infected computers
- IframeRef – Special IFrame tags that point to remote websites containing malicious content
- Obfuscator – Programs that have been disguised to hinder antivirus protection
The report found that in the first half of 2013, nearly 17 percent of computers running Microsoft up-to-date real-time security products worldwide encountered malware. While Windows 8 encountered a similar amount of malware as Windows XP, people using Windows XP were six times more likely to actually be infected with those threats.
Stephanie Hung, Director, Public Sector Group, Microsoft Singapore, said: “Research and intelligence have shown time and again that the Windows XP operating system, first introduced 12 years ago, can no longer adequately address the increasingly sophisticated threats of today. The Security Intelligence Report highlights the very real risks involved for the 10% of Singapore users who are still on Windows XP. It is critical for consumers and businesses here to move to newer operating systems like Windows 7 or 8 to better safeguard personal information and to keep the risk and costs of business disruptions to a minimum.”
“The data helps illustrate the impact security innovations in newer operating systems are having. Modern operating systems, like Windows 8, include advanced security technologies that are specifically designed to make it harder, more complex, more expensive, and, therefore less appealing for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities,” said Tim Rains, director of Microsoft Trustworthy Computing.
He added that once Windows XP stops receiving security updates on April 8, 2014, security risks associated with continuing to use the outdated software will increase as cybercriminals seek to exploit new vulnerabilities discovered. The last version of Windows XP to go out of support was Service Pack 2. In the two years following, malware infections jumped 66 percent when compared to Windows XP SP3, the version for which support ends next year.
“The importance of upgrading from Windows XP cannot be overstated,” said Rains. “We truly want people to understand the risks of running Windows XP after support ends and to recognize the security benefits of upgrading to more modern operating system – one that includes the latest in security innovations, provides ongoing support and can in turn better protect them.”
To download and learn more about the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report findings visit http://www.microsoft.com/sir.
Microsoft releases its Security Intelligence Report twice a year to inform the public about the most prevalent global and regional threats so they can better protect themselves and their organizations. Volume 15 of the report includes new data from the first half of 2013.
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