Updated on
Summary One out of every 14 programs downloaded by Windows users is malicious.
Even though Microsoft has a feature in its Internet Explorer browser designed to steer users away from unknown and potentially untrustworthy software, about 5 percent of users ignore the warnings and download malicious software. Users get a message from a friend telling them to go and view a video. When they click on the link, they are then told to download some sort of video playing software in order to watch. That software is actually a malicious program. Better browser protection is pushing the criminals into social engineering, especially over the past two years. Social-engineering hackers also try to infect victims by hacking into Web pages and popping up fake antivirus warnings designed to look like messages from the operating system.
