“According to the latest data at the SANS Internet Storm Center, the average time it takes for an unprotected PC running Microsoft Windows (i.e., firewall off and missing critical security patches) to be compromised after being plugged into the Internet has more than doubled since September 2004. Trouble is, that time gap still isn’t that large: An unguarded Windows computer can expect to be hacked within little more than 40 minutes of going online,” Brian Krebs reports for The Washington Post.
“The ‘survival time’ of Windows PCs has been steadily on the rise since last fall, when Microsoft released Service Pack 2, a comprehensive security upgrade for Windows XP that made it easier for users to take advantage of the operating system’s built-in firewall, as well as automate the installation of security patches,” Krebs reports. “While Service Pack 2’s deployment may explain the survival time in part, the data may also reflect another trend, according to Chicago-based security services firm LURHQ. In the latest edition of the company’s ‘On the Radar’ newletter, LURHQ analysts point to the ‘the lack of any new critical network-based vulnerabilities in Windows workstations since the LSASS exploit.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Wow, a whole 40 minutes?! Excellent work, Microsoft, as usual. If you want to surf the ‘Net with impunity, get a Macintosh.
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My average survival time…sitting somewhere around forever, at the moment. Ahh.
first post?
Yeah, and I can break into any house with an alarm in less time than that…
A computers security is only as good as its owner. Start giving passwords away for your mac, and it becomes just as vulnerable…Not that anyone would ever do that….
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But for some reason, when I built my girlfriends last computer, It was on the net for about 4 hrs before it began to update….It never was infected…
Being on the “net” and being on a network are two different things. The ISP’s should be filtering this kind of shit, and most do. Obviously some do not.
My unprotected survival time is 5 years. . . . and running.
MW – “done”
Is 40 minutes for a SP2 Win XP system? Is SP2 a critical update? The article didn’t seem to state that clearly. If that is for a SP2 system, that is pathetic. I wouldn’t be surprised that the time for an unpatched pre-SP2 system to increase since last year since there haven’t been the huge outbreaks since last year. There are still plenty out there, but not the ones bringing down entire organizations.
Kind of funny since I just noticed that I accidently forgot to turn my firewall back on after testing some stuff last month. 30 days (~43,000 minutes) with my Mac turned on, plugged into the internet and nothing happened.
Only 2 virus infections since Nov ’93 … and both happened
on my old 68k running OS 7.1
Nothing since then tho… !!
Gee … I wonder sputnik can make the same claim ?
Expect headlines saying that Windows security is now 100% improved!!
All I have to say is SERVICE PACK 2 rocks…
sweeet we are back in the game !!
Mr. G
cc. dancing B
sputnik
That’s OK. My firewall was off for, oh geez, as long as I had OS X because I never knew it was there. Turned it on just a few months back. Never had an issue.
They have doubled the virus free up time in 9 months. Great accomplishment. We are all very proud.
One woman, with 15 minutes help from a man, can produce another human being in that time. Microsoft with all of it’s crack coders and billions of dollars can produce 20 more minutes of freedom.
Microsoft could eliminate all of their customers virus worries by sending every Windows user the following three word email.
Buy a Mac.
This update just in from the International Consortium On Security And Quality (ICSQ), Windows is shit.
In case you didn’t know.
The first time I tried it unprotected, she got pregnant.
What is this “firewall” people speak of?
Only 2 virus infections since Nov ’93 … and both happened
on my old 68k running OS 7.1
——
Huh? Back in the day, when there was still puny marketshare.. there were virii..
Interesting.. I’m sure someone really intelligent could deduce something brilliant from that observation, but my brain is all used up..
Maybe it means that.. er.. no.. it can’t be that…not the obscurity myth..
I can’t believe there bragging about this.
From the article:
“All of which should serve as yet another reminder of how important it is for Windows users to take basic, preventative measures to stay safe online. If you need help with the basics, like choosing and installing a firewall, anti-virus software, and Windows updates, have a look at our video guides for securing your computer.”
Okay, this is a great point. But why the hell doesn’t Microsoft be the one educating? Maybe there should be a Surgeon General’s type of warning posted on operating systems. And obviously just Microsoft’s.
Like Al said – “Buy a Mac.”
From the article:
“All of which should serve as yet another reminder of how important it is for Windows users to take basic, preventative measures to stay safe online. If you need help with the basics, like choosing and installing a firewall, anti-virus software, and Windows updates, have a look at our video guides for securing your computer.”
I hope the hapless Windows-user can do all of the above within the 40-minute time limit.
I followed a few links in the referenced article and made my way to a 13-page set of instructions published by the SANS Internet Storm Center with the title, “Windows XP: Surviving the First Day”.
http://www.sans.org/rr/whitepapers/windows/1298.php
Imagine purchasing an automobile and reading the owner’s manual containing a statement like, “Surviving the first day in your new car”!
but MS is getting better. It will be a whole day eventually, and then why buy a Mac?
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Yes, a PSA showing what happens when you plug both a Mac and a Windows PC in and connect them to the internet. The Windows PC gets hacked, the Mac just runs.Then quotes from recent glowing reviews of Mac OS X.
That would get PC users thinking. What do u think?
The only reason why it now takes 40 minutes: All serious hackers all over the world have hacked an army of Windows-drones yet, they can command for every purpose. So the remaining hacking-load is generated by hobby-hackers in high-schools, universities etc., who are less agressive.
AHEM! I have iTunes 4.9 running now. Happy to have the integration with podcasts…
Me too sam, PodCast functionality is, as usual, very easy to use.
So these guys turn the firewall off, and turn the automated patching off (both are on by default in SP2) then claim that those devices don’t work to protect the PC…
I guess they also turn the airbags off in their cars, and complain when they fail to deploy in an accident, and walk outside in the rain with a closed umbrella and blame some “umbrella design defect” as the reason they’re getting wet.
The Apple store has been down for awhile. Maybe they’re getting ready for some new products?!
The Apple store is back up, with links for the new iPod models.