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  1. #1
    DF Founder Raptor's Avatar
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    Tech Majority of home PCs are insecure


    Despite the amount of security software being made available, it turns out that an estimated ninety eight per cent of all home computers are vulnerable at some level to hackers and other unwanted intrusions.

    This comes from the Danish security firm, Secunia, who have been taking data from their Personal Software Inspector (PSI), which found that only two per cent had fully patched software.

    The figures were worked out as follows:

    Number of insecure programs per PC/user (Dec 2008):


    1. 0 Insecure Programs: 1.91% of PCs
      1-5 Insecure Programs: 30.27% of PCs
      6-10 Insecure Programs: 25.07% of PCs
      11+ Insecure Programs: 45.76% of PCs

    Number of insecure programs per PC/user (Jan 2008):


    1. 0 Insecure Applications: 4.54% of computers
      0-5 Insecure Applications: 27.83% of computers
      6-10 Insecure Applications: 25.69% of computers
      11+ Insecure Applications: 41.94% of computers

    In the majority of cases the computers were running out of date software, and nearly half had around eleven unpatched programmed which can be very risky when surfing the internet.

  2. #2
    Argyll's Apprentice TwoPlAnKs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    But does it really matter?

    It's only a home pc - its about thinking of what you are supposed to protect.

    I'm sure a higher percentage of houses have easier security problems than the computers do
    "The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  3. #3
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    Mule's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    A study from a company that sells security software stating that computers aren't secure enough, what a suprise.

    I leave my front door unlocked when I'm at home, stupid of me really, leaving myself vulnerable to intrusions like that. I don't know why I do it really, maybe it's because I'm not in constant fear of attack.

    The internet is a dangerous place, go on it unprepared and someone will steal your identity shortly followed by your possessions, home and family.

  4. #4
    R.I.P. the_wizzard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by TwoPlAnKs View Post
    But does it really matter?

    It's only a home pc - its about thinking of what you are supposed to protect.

    of course it matters!

  5. #5
    Mummy's little soldier I Black Belt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by the_wizzard View Post
    of course it matters!
    To you maybe - but then most of us haven't a hard drive full of donkey porn..

  6. #6
    R.I.P. the_wizzard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by I Black Belt View Post
    To you maybe - but then most of us haven't a hard drive full of donkey porn..
    so theres nothing on your home pc that i cant use for my own gains ..or fun?? think very hard about your answer.

  7. #7
    Mummy's little soldier I Black Belt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Good question.
    Knock yourself out - let me know what you find

  8. #8
    R.I.P. the_wizzard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by I Black Belt View Post
    Good question.
    Knock yourself out - let me know what you find

    stupid answer to a serious question. if you have nothing worthwhile saying ..say nothing.

  9. #9
    DF VIP Member whatnow's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    i'm sure windows defender will sort us all out :
    I'm new to this :huh:

  10. #10
    Mummy's little soldier I Black Belt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by the_wizzard View Post
    stupid answer to a serious question. if you have nothing worthwhile saying ..say nothing.
    As yours was an over the top answer to a post cleary intended in jest.

  11. #11
    R.I.P. the_wizzard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by I Black Belt View Post
    As yours was an over the top answer to a post cleary intended in jest.




    oh btw my post was directed at everyone...all home pc users! as per thread title. even though it reads as you alone! hence the "think about it"
    the post that got your flippant remark i should say.
    Last edited by the_wizzard; 6th December 2008 at 12:20 AM.

  12. #12
    R.I.P. the_wizzard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by Mule View Post
    The internet is a dangerous place, go on it unprepared and someone will steal your identity shortly followed by your possessions, home and family.

    wise words!


    and yes its easy to do. for home pc users. your av an fw dont protect you just cos its there. seems like most people dont say what protection they have because there scared or shy? cos they have none? or dont know how to use what they have.

    common sense always rules!

  13. #13
    DF VIP Member c0axial's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    No Shit Sherlock now where is my copy of servu
    127.0.0.1

  14. #14
    Argyll's Apprentice TwoPlAnKs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Majority of home PCs are insecure

    Quote Originally Posted by the_wizzard View Post
    of course it matters!
    no... it doesn't

    people could maybe get a couple of details from my computer, nothing really that's not publicly known and unless they were really clever they'd definitely struggle to get anything like card details or login details - in fact the only way i can think of to do that would be to take control of an existing session i had open or install a keylogger because i dont have that kind of stuff stored

    i'd be a lot more concerned about getting mugged in the street or having somebody nicking letters from my bin, which is equally as dangerous and far more likely. statistically you are more likely to get mugged on your way home from the bank than having money stolen as a result of online banking.
    "The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

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