Give your computer a spring cleaning to avoid malicious exploits

Is your computer due for a spring cleaning? F-Secure data shows that users’ computers often contain old versions of software which are not up to date or no longer being used. This out-of-date software can make computers vulnerable to malicious exploits.

Helsinki, Finland – March 18, 2009: F-Secure data indicates that what is making computers most vulnerable to exploits are unpatched or out-of-date versions of the most widely-used software for PCs. Between 80-90% of users have security holes in their systems with on average 5 different vulnerabilities in the software on their computers. Users don’t remove the old versions of their programs and the vulnerabilities in them can leave the computer wide open to malware or malicious software.

Trojans are a typical example of the kinds programs which take advantage of vulnerabilities. They are malicious applications which appear to do one thing but actually do another, giving the criminal access to your computer.

Sean Sullivan from F-Secure Labs explains:”A lot of the software on users’ computers has been updated and patched to make it safe. People are using these new versions, but if they do not delete the old or unused versions from their computers, they may still be open to exploits. F-Secure’s data shows that people have lots of old software lying about on their PCs, unused, and creating possible problems.”

“The best way to keep your PC safe from exploits is to make sure your software is updated with the latest patches. Many software applications will do this automatically. You should also make sure you only have programs you actually use installed on your computer. Old versions or unused programs should simply be removed,” Sullivan advises.

In addition to the other programs on your computer, Web browsers can also be vulnerable to exploits. Sometimes these vulnerabilities are used by criminals before an update is available from the manufacturer.
F-Secure Exploit Shield recognizes attempts to exploit a known web-based vulnerability and shields the user against them. It also works against new, unknown vulnerability exploits by using generic detection techniques based on the behavior of exploits. F-Secure Exploit Shield is a free beta tool and can be downloaded from http://support.f-secure.com/beta

F-Secure compiles the data of common vulnerabilities from F-Secure Health Check logs. F-Secure Health Check is run on over 100 000 computers monthly worldwide. It is a free tool which can be used to check that your computer’s security software is up-to-date and that you don’t have any security holes in your other software or applications. http://campaigns.f-secure.com/healthcheck/index.html

When giving your computer a spring cleaning, make sure
- Your software is updated with the latest patches
- You only have programs you use installed on your computer
- You remove old versions or unused software
- Your security solution is up-to-date


About F-Secure Corporation
Innovation, reliability and speed of response - these are the qualities that have made F-Secure one of the world’s leading IT security providers since the company was founded in 1988. Today F-Secure’s award-winning and easy-to-use products are trusted in millions of homes and businesses around the world. We provide powerful real-time protection that works quietly and smoothly in the background, so computer and smartphone users can enjoy the benefits of connected life to the full. F-Secure’s solutions are available as a service subscription through more than 180 Internet service providers and mobile operator partners around the world, making F-Secure the global leader in this market. F-Secure has been listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd since 1999. The company has consistently been one of the fastest growing publicly listed companies in the industry. The latest news on real-time virus threat scenarios is available at the F-Secure Data Security Lab weblog at http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/.

For more information, please contact:
Sean Sullivan
Security Advisor
Tel. +358 40 847 9563
E-mail: firstname.lastname@f-secure.com

Media contact
Hetta Huittinen
Tel. +358 40 033 9597
E-mail: firstname.lastname@f-secure.com