Small businesses should update popular software
By Joe Elvin
14/07/2011
Small businesses have been encouraged to update their software to the latest versions in order to protect themselves from security threats.
The suggestions have came from IT security firm Avast, after it was revealed that malware creators were targeting popular software such as PDF-reading file, Adobe Reader.
It was claimed that older versions of software were easier to corrupt because they aren't fitted with the latest security devices.
Despite this, Avast recently discovered that 60 per cent of Adobe Reader users had failed to upgrade to the fully-patched Adobe Reader X, meaning they were leaving themselves exposed to malware threats.
Given that eweekeurope.com estimates that there are over a hundred million Adobe Reader users worldwide, these are worrying figures.
As such, even those with comprehensive it management systems to protect against these sorts of threats would be best off upgrading their software as soon as they have the opportunity.
Speaking to techworld.com, Avast's CTO, Ondrej Vlcek, claimed he was surprised by the findings of the recent survey.
He said: "There is a basic assumption that people will automatically update of migrate to the newer version of any program. At least with Adobe Reader this assumption is wrong - and it's exposing users to a wide range of potential threats.".
