Thinkcage

According to a recent CNET article, a new-from-the-box Windows computer connected to the Internet will be infected by malware in an average of 20 minutes. Scary thought. Even more frightening when you consider this result is predicted for a PC that is simply connected to the Internet and not even subjected to the danger of users visiting malicious websites or receiving infected email. It would seem that the average dial-up modem surfer would have little chance of adequately protecting his computer.

Personally, I was taken by surprise at this finding. Partly because I work behind a solidly maintained LAN at work and hide behind a router at home; partly because I do much of my work on an Apple Mac. But with broadband still not the prevailing standard for the average user, it seems that mom and dad on AOL are the biggest culprits and victims in the war on malware.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 19th, 2004 at 8:29 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.