When you download any software program on your desktop or laptop PC, there's always a risk that there will be a flaw in the program that will be exploited by hackers. This week, a new study from the security firm Secunia claims that the number of software programs that are not made by Microsoft that have some kind of vulnerability is actually increasing.
The study results show that 86 percent of programs that the firm said has security issues came from non-Microsoft applications, an increase compared to 78 percent from the year before. The actual report, based on data recorded by Secunia's Personal Software Inspector program, showed there were 9,776 software vulnerabilities in 2,503 applications released by 421 different companies in 2012.
Google's Chrome web browser topped the list with 291 vulnerabilities in 2012, followed by Mozilla's Firefox browser with 257, Apple's iTunes with 243, Adobe's Flash Player with 67, and Oracle's Java with 66. Secunia says the study shows that Microsoft is doing a better job in making sure its own programs are more secure from exploits.
That's the good news. The bad news is that the study seems to show that large businesses need to do a better job in making sure that their third party programs don't leave their PC systems open to attack. Morten R. Stengaard, Secunia’s Director of Product Management, states:
The number of vulnerabilities is on the increase, but many organizations continue to turn a blind eye, thereby jeopardizing their entire IT infrastructure: It only takes one vulnerability to expose a company, and no amount of processes and technology that supports operating systems and Microsoft programs will suffice in providing the required level of protection.
Source: Secunia
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