Microsoft Security Intelligence Report Vol 8 Published

Microsoft has published its security intelligence report for the second half of 2009. The information is gathered by Microsoft security tools including the Malicious Software Removal tool, run before Windows Updates are installed, and Microsoft Security Essentials.

One of the main claims is that if you run Windows 7 or Vista rather than XP, you are more likely to be exposed to vulnerabilities in third party software most notably from Adobe, than to vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. Worldwide it seems that a PC is most likely to be infected by a Worm from the Tartef family which targets online game players, although malware patterns vary from country to country.

Fake security software is also prevalent as are botnets used for sending SPAM.