
Microsoft’s most recent report regarding security intelligence says that computer owners using a Windows PC are over five times more likely to be hit with an infection if their computer has an old security software version. Essentially, this means that there is very little advantage to receiving such protection at all.
It does seem that a number of Windows 8 security settings are having a positive effect – despite the fact researchers have said that over 50 per cent of all PCs with Windows 8 are unprotected due to running security software that has expired.
Microsoft says that the software becomes outdated when an anti-malware programme has reached the expiry date of its trial.
The report claims that users may believe, incorrectly, that anti-malware software on their computer is protecting them in spite of no updates having been downloaded in some time.
The report explained:
“The product may continue to inform you that you need to pay for the software to continue receiving updates, but it stops downloading updates that protect your PC. This often happens when you buy a PC from an online or local store and that PC is pre-loaded with lots of software.”
Should businesses be using outdated security software, they are putting not only individual computers at risk, but also their entire network. It is easy enough to upgrade to a full version, but the firm would be well advised to have somebody in the workforce with the appropriate knowledge to note when such problems exist. This is just one reason why IT security recruitment is so important in this day and age.
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