Global Issue

Computers' Insecure Security
By Sarah Lacy

Software meant to protect PCs are now attack targets, revealing a rising number of flaws -- even more than those of Microsoft products

Think you're safe because your computer has the latest antivirus program, complete with daily updates via the Web? Or maybe you figure the firewall you have installed will stop malicious software from reaching your machine.

Well, you may not be as secure as you think. Hackers are increasingly finding flaws in the very programs designed to prevent attacks -- computer-security software.

A new Yankee Group report, to be released June 20, shows the number of vulnerabilities found in security products increasing sharply for the third straight year -- and for the first time surpassing those found in all Microsoft (MSFT ) products. The majority of these weaknesses are found by researchers, academics, and security companies. Trouble is, hackers then take those findings and use it for nefarious purposes.

Reaction:

Can we really rely on antivirus software to protect our personal computer? This was the first question that arises in our mind when we first saw this article.Although we all know that hackers right now are very active and smart enough to create viruses that could ultimately make PC’s useless. What’s worst is that market leaders are in trouble because they are the target. Hackers named to pull them down just like Microsoft, Symantec and so on, and generally wanted to crack programs with the largest installed base.

Well in our age/situation right now we shouldn’t be shocked with regards on this matter because we know nothing is impossible, but of course behind of all these things we should not ignore it because it’s getting serious. The hackers are getting smarter and might overcome the security programmers. We don’t like these to happen so security industry must act now and be smarter too.

Reference: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2005/tc20050617_1613_tc024.htm

<back next>