Three out of four rootkit infections are on Windows XP

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Not surprising at all. XP is ancient now....

 

Makes sense. Almost all XP users are on 32bit. I would bet that the majority or at least a very large portion of Windows 7 are on 64bit and are protected against rootkits.

 

to my info many security expert still using xp .....maybe they keep it as honeypot

 

I know a lot of people still hang on to XP, yes... I suppose some can't afford to buy new hardware, and others just don't like change. Still, it is what it is. An old and outdated OS.

 

There was so much ridiculous Vista hate that I know people who have literally bought XP to downgrade from Windows 7 because they think it's just like Vista.

Thanks for that Apple.

 

Yep, and they couldn't be more wrong.....

 

Yeah, I think the reason why XP users tend to be more infected by rootkits is the fact that they are on 32-bit systems. We x64 users are somewhat safe from those nasties (although not 100% safe).

 

Totally unpatched XP/SP2 here, no RK's though or Any other nasties

Of course i have solid protection in place, but the fact that it's still XP straight outa the box doesn't mean it's crap or unsafe, if you make it safer ! Just like i did with 98SE too

 

An insecure OS plus inexperienced user is like looking for trouble.

 

I'm sure thats true, but still using Xp here (preferred) I don't worry anymore about them being proactive in my defense. I'm also sure most Xp users (I'm talking about the average joe) could ether care less about computer security or do not have the knowledge to protect themselves.

 

3 out of 4 are still using xp simple really

 

Not sure if you're sarcastic, but that's false: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS_market_share

 

The percentage of users for each OS is only part of the story. Comparing just infection rates between XP and Vista or 7 does not take into account how much longer XP has been exposed and targeted by malware. Give Win-7 and 64 bit another year and the numbers will be quite different.

That aside, don't assume that such numbers are facts. That's one vendors opinion, just as market share figures will vary, depending on who is doing the counting and what method they're using.

 

64-bit has PatchGuard, which makes most of the difference. I don't see XP or Vista 64-bit infected with rookits nearly as much.

 

If all things are equal and Win7 and XP both had equal exposure time and market share I still think we would see more malware developed for XP, especially rootkits.

 

I wouldn't agree...necessarily.

venerable...perhaps.