Windows Is No Longer the Most Vulnerable Operating System in the World

[viktik]

Content source

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Is-No-Longer-the-Most-Vulnerable-Operating-System-in-the-World-473964.shtml

Windows is often referred to as the most insecure operating system in the world, pretty much because it's targeted by the majority of malware infections out there, but as far as security vulnerabilities are concerned, Microsoft's platform is no longer number one.

Statistics provided by GFI show that Windows security is getting stronger, so the leading place in the chart called “Top operating systems by vulnerabilities reported in 2014” goes to Apple's Mac OS X. A total of 147 vulnerabilities were found on OS X, 64 of which were rated as “high.”

The runner-up is another Apple platform, this time iOS, with 127 security glitches, while the third place goes to none other than the Linux Kernel with 119 flaws.

And then, there's Windows, but not a version aimed at consumers. Windows Server 2008 was the fourth most vulnerable OS in 2014 with 38 vulnerabilities, out of which 26 were considered to be of high severity.

Internet Explorer still the most vulnerable app
While it's fairly easy to make a comparison between Windows and its rival platforms based on these charts, especially because some claim to offer better security and privacy than Microsoft's own product does, there's one more chart that reveals something a bit more embarrassing for Redmond.

Internet Explorer continues to be the most vulnerable application out there, as in 2014, security researchers found a total of 242 flaws, with 220 of them being rated as critical.

Obviously, this isn't at all good news for Microsoft, and just by looking at the second place, which went to Google Chrome, it's pretty clear that Internet Explorer's security is still falling short these days. Google Chrome had only 124 vulnerabilities in 2014.

Adobe Flash Player, on the other hand, which is often criticized for its poor security, improved last year and was hit by only 76 flaws.

Microsoft working to kill Internet Explorer
It's very clear that users and Microsoft cannot be satisfied with Internet Explorer's performance in terms of security, so the company is working right now to replace its browser completely in the upcoming Windows 10.

Microsoft has already started development of a new browser called Spartan and that could debut in Windows 10. It will be offered alongside Internet Explorer at first, in order to tackle any compatibility issues, but the company is willing to replace it completely at some point in the future.

Spartan was already presented last month during a Windows 10 press event and a preview build is expected to be part of a new testing version of the operating system released via the Insider program.

 

[Sr. Normal]

Thank you, very much surprised me third in Linux.

I thought that Microsoft would occupy top positions are then Mac . I could not be more wrong .

A very interesting details, thanks

 

[Nico@FMA]

Thanks for the article yet i do not value GFI as a credible source to make such statements.
While GFI has a great track record and is a fantastic company, their statistic's are by far off.
The reason i am saying this is simple, due to our clients who are direct competitors to GFI these statistic's are very limited in terms of statistic's.

Many of the found windows bugs and vulnerabilities are not even mentioned as in public, as Microsoft made various agreements with parties like GFI to keep info away from the public. Windows 8 was a clear example of bugcity in the media and we all know how the industry responded to that. Microsoft stated in early 2014 that it would take a much more aggressive stance against apple and Linux to boost their own ratings and drag down the competition. That being said Apple and Linux both suffer from a increasing number of bugs which is true, yet one needs to realize that within a MS dominated world 7 out of 10 applications and OS bugs are directly tied to windows itself.
And with this in mind the above results cannot be true and are distorted.
Personally i know based upon our own malware research and working with industry partners that the stats above are well.... irrelevant shall we say.

Cheers

 

[jamescv7]

A simple concept, since Windows is a known operating system made by Microsoft; it influences the popularity and market shares as on demand therefore its an hole for hackers and malware writers to make security vulnerabilities that come up as hundreds.

However since Microsoft takes everything patches on it, then makes possible that decrease of any possible security risks may happened even those black hats will established again.

This makes problem for Mac and Linux as being secured as per different environment, future flaws will present as few [hackers] will try this to gather few buckets of money.

 

[hjlbx]

Any vulnerability is essentially a non-issue if it is not targeted. I'm not saying it isn't potentially serious. However, targeting Linux systems is economically unfeasible; high effort with very low probability of worthwhile financial gain.

Virtually all financial gain is to be had on the Windows platform.

Malware is more successful if it "casts an extremely wide net."

Those statistics give a skewed perspective as the big picture has not changed one bit.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

This is a very eye catching thread ..with even more eye opening counterpoints!!
Thanks!

 

[hjlbx]

Malware-writer's perspective: Why try to crack 1 safe when I can hit 100,000 at the same time?

 

[BoraMurdar]

Number of security holes, number of malwares, and probability for finding an exploit for specific OS, is directly proportional with the popularity of the OS.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Number of security holes, number of malwares, and probability for finding an exploit for specific OS, is directly proportional with the popularity of the OS.

So (realistically speaking) the Operating System that will be the most secure should be an 'ugly' system, I suppose, which
brings to mind some silly lyrics of a song...

 

[Infrared]

Thanks, Very interesting news and caught my attention i am happy now!