Beware of Christmas PCs bearing viruses

Consumers buying new PCs should force retailers to ensure that the machines are fully patched before purchase, according to Sophos.

Most computers in the shops will have operating systems that are months out of date, the security firm warned. While this will not affect basic operation, it leaves the PC without current security patches and thus vulnerable to viruses and hackers.

"Consumers need to ask about security," said Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos. "Does the retailer have Windows XP service pack 2 disks available, for example? Maybe if enough people ask we'll get shops taking security more seriously. That's my hope."

Theriault pointed out that if businesses are buying in PCs they can insist on having them fully patched before delivery. Consumers rarely make such demands but, with 1,300 new viruses detected last month, new PCs are acutely vulnerable.

In tests earlier this year Symantec found that an unpatched PC connected to the internet would be hit by viruses and malicious code in less than one minute.

See also:

2005: the year the virus gets nasty

Lock up your bank accounts  07 Dec 2004

Unprotected PCs hit by viruses in minutes

'Survival time' for an unpatched PC down to 20 minutes, warn researchers  18 Aug 2004

Security

The latest wave of cyber-crimes and acts of vandalism have demonstrated once again that many systems are still vulnerable to attack.  15 Apr 2004

Like this story? Spread the news by clicking below:

 del.icio.us     Digg this     reddit!