Study: 15 Percent Of Computers Have Active Spyware, Malware Infection
Prevx recently announced the results from checks for active spyware and malware on nearly 300,000 PCs during the last 30 days. The scans were performed by users downloading its free Prevx Computer Security Investigator (CSI). The results show that of 290,647 PCs scanned a staggering 45,251 (15.6 percent) had one or more active spyware or malware infection.
“Internet users must be more vigilant while top security firms find more effective solutions to provide adequate protection,” said Jacques Erasmus, director of malware research at Prevx.
The infection rates among computers that did not employ any type of security software were 60 percent higher than those using popular security products; the number of active infections on these systems was markedly higher.
Also in the results, some 59.5 percent of businesses running the Prevx CSI check discovered at least one infected PC.
“It is time that the major security firms owned up to the fact that their products are failing to protect consumers and businesses from a myriad of dangerous spyware and malware and the threats these pose to their customers and shareholders,” said Prevx’s CEO, Mel Morris. “It is also time that businesses began to speak out, even if anonymously about the thousands of breaches they are experiencing every day. The reality is that computer security is looking weaker by the day. There are a number of major security firms that appear to be focused on breadth rather than depth of protection.”
Further research by Prevx shows a worsening trend in detection rates by four of the top five popular security products for the last three months, with Microsoft storming ahead in the last two weeks.