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Company News
Twelve per cent of computer users literally don’t know what ‘rootkit’ is
Tue, 08 January 2008
Avira makes a security survey to find out whether computer users are aware of the danger harmful programs hide
Tettnang, 08 January 2008 – Home PCs become part of a dangerous bot network through online intruders disguised in a smart way – for twelve per cent of all computer users this scenario sounds more like science fiction than reality. Avira figured this out in an online survey with its latest “big question of the month”. 1,803 users said: “botnets are computer networks that are monitored by hackers in such a way that the computer owners don’t become aware of them. Be honest, do you think that your computer is leading a double life?”.
True to the motto “Better safe than sorry”, 47 per cent of computer users don’t allow their computer to lead a double life, having the system checked on a regular basis. At first sight tougher times seem to have set in for the cyber criminals, however, appearances are deceiving: five per cent of all computer users give green light to the hackers by ignoring the danger of unperceived system access, as long as the computer works without troubles. More than one third of the interviewed persons (36 per cent) rely on their virus protection to ward off rootkits too. Rootkits have the objective to hide themselves and its malware components from the anti-virus software and the user on the computer system.
All in all, still 53 per cent of the interviewed computer users keep open the floodgates for professional hacker attacks from cyberspace, partly unconscious, partly carelessly. Poorly protected computers are particularly in danger, because they offer an ideal basis to hackers by tracking its illegal objectives through the captured computers.
“Rootkits pose a very serious danger, because they settle down in the system in a very unnoticeable way and remain unseen most of the time. In everyday life there appear very concrete dangers for infected computers”, explains Tjark Auerbach, founder and CEO of Avira. “It is very easy to spy out passwords by monitoring the keyboard. The computer could also be used for spam attacks or Denial-of-Service attacks. An all-round virus protection should also be in the state to detect, rate and remove hidden files, processes and registry settings, in order to prevent such scenarios.”
Avira encounters this malware spreading by integrating the rootkit technology into the entire product range. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic is a basic protection that can be downloaded for free from: www.free-av.com. Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium is available for 20 euro per year in the Avira Online Shop and it includes more functions such as protection against spy/adware or examination of the POP3 data traffic.
About Avira
Avira is a worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With more than twenty years of expe¬rience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.
The security expert has several locations in Germany and partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang near Lake Constance, Avira is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 180 employees. Worldwide more than 250 persons are employed and their work regularly wins awards. Avira AntiVir Personal, used by millions of private users, represents a significant contribution to security.
Avira’s national and international customers include renowned corporations listed on the stock exchange but also educational institutions and public authorities. In addition to protection of the virtual environment, Avira also provides for more protection and security in the real world by supporting the Auerbach Foundation. Established by the founder of the company, the Auerbach Foundation promotes charitable and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.
Press contact:
LEWIS Global PR
Elisabeth Rothbart
Baierbrunner Str. 15
D-81379 München
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 33
Fax: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 99
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