Comments on: Are your Apps Secure? 28% Chance They’re Not!

By: Fx Extension Guru

Fx Extension Guru — Sat, 19 May 2007 23:21:24 +0000

I wasn't extremely surprised either, because who really thinks that those updates could be critical? Maybe these companies should make users more aware of how critical some of the updates are.

As for WinAmp both times when I started the application I got a pop-box announcing new critical updates. If it were not for that I wouldn't know otherwise. So NullSoft is doing a good job there, I think it is people don't want to be bothered with installing updates and stick to the mentality "If ain't broke..."

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:31:05 +0000

I agree, I really do hate Java. In fact, the first thing I do after installing Firefox is disabling Java in the preferences. Then I only enable it when I need it.

By: Morcas

Morcas — Fri, 18 May 2007 19:55:04 +0000

All the more reason not to use Java

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 May 2007 15:50:55 +0000

It uses Java so that it can scan your computer to see what versions of software you have installed. I’m sure there are other alternatives that can be used, but things like JavaScript are definitely out of the picture.

By: Morcas

Morcas — Fri, 18 May 2007 04:25:33 +0000

Opps! Can’t use it, I don’t use Java or windows update. Personally I can’t see why they have to use either?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 May 2007 02:02:49 +0000

I wasn’t extremely surprised either, because who really thinks that those updates could be critical? Maybe these companies should make users more aware of how critical some of the updates are.

By: Fx Extension Guru

Fx Extension Guru — Fri, 18 May 2007 00:00:29 +0000

WinAMP doesn’t surprise me with the high rate. They’ve had two updates in the past month.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:16:51 +0000

Microsoft could indeed implement some sort of checks themselves, but I’m sure there is a big worry about checking the software to make sure it isn’t malicious. After all, you wouldn’t want to be using an application and then have Windows Update download a new version and install it, just to find out that the developer added a virus to it. Maybe Microsoft should just prompt the users so that they are notified that a new version is available, and then leave it to the users to go download it.

Secunia is mostly just checking the applications that frequently have Web-related exploits because that is where their focus is. They don’t look to check every single application because that would be hard for them to keep up with all of the version numbers.

By: s

Thu, 17 May 2007 15:11:27 +0000

couldn’t Microsoft do something similar by checking add/remove programs and giving updates for programs via automatic updates?
i wish they would.

also secunia could do a better job by checking more programs via add/remove programs.i had some out of date applications that secunia missed.