Unpatched Windows survival time cut by half

[n0cmonkey]

Here's a graph of the survival time in minutes. I'm guessing it's one of those "connect an unpatched system to the net and see how quickly it gets hit" type of things.

This is getting kinda funny.

Windows XP: Surviving the first day Warning, it's a pdf.

 

[oldman420]

woah dont you know it.
i really dislike people that write malicious code and cause the rest of us problems
good post thanks

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: oldman420
woah dont you know it.
i really dislike people that write malicious code and cause the rest of us problems
good post thanks

I personally think two bigger problems are uneducated users and companies that continue to pass absolute dung off as gold.

 

[Yanagi]

Kazaa anyone? I believe thats one of the biggest sources of virus and such things.

 

[GenTarkin]

actually, I had to do a naked XP install non Service Pack 1 the other day on my machine....I went to plug in the ethernet to get the service pack and updates and such...as soon as I went to windows update and nothing more, I got 15 or so popups and several search bars installed themselves....later on that day after getting all updates and service pack...I finally got into cleaning that crap out, turns out got the stupid malware virus, several hundred adaware items and spybot items....truely amazing...after realizing XP has been out for 3 years and has over 60 security updates....I am now back on Win2k SP4 which being out since 1999 5 years or so only has around 40 security updates. I actually installed Win2k with SP2 initially and got attacked by nothing...I love win2k =)

 

[n0cmonkey]

7 security updates for my OS of choice since May.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: GenTarkin
actually, I had to do a naked XP install non Service Pack 1 the other day on my machine....I went to plug in the ethernet to get the service pack and updates and such...as soon as I went to windows update and nothing more, I got 15 or so popups and several search bars installed themselves....later on that day after getting all updates and service pack...I finally got into cleaning that crap out, turns out got the stupid malware virus, several hundred adaware items and spybot items....truely amazing...after realizing XP has been out for 3 years and has over 60 security updates....I am now back on Win2k SP4 which being out since 1999 5 years or so only has around 40 security updates. I actually installed Win2k with SP2 initially and got attacked by nothing...I love win2k =)

If you had simply turned on the windows built in firewall, you wouldn't have had a problem.

 

[GenTarkin]

I know, but I didnt think it would have been hit that bad...and I hate its firewall, the OS shouldnt be that bad anyhow, thats my point. I run win2k SP4 without a firewall or anything...nothing is infected with anything.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: GenTarkin
I know, but I didnt think it would have been hit that bad...and I hate its firewall, the OS shouldnt be that bad anyhow, thats my point. I run win2k SP4 without a firewall or anything...nothing is infected with anything.

I use Win2K over XP myself, but I'd still never run it without a firewall or anti-virus. The two OS's are very similar and suffer from a lot of the same vulnerabilities.
Even with SP4 installed, I'd say you've been very lucky not to be infected before getting the latest critical patches from windows update.

 

[GenTarkin]

Ive never used a firewall on XP or win2k...hate them....pointless to me, never been infected with anything and never had any odd traffic in or out of my PC...guess its all how I play my cards =)

 

[spyordie007]

I am now back on Win2k SP4 which being out since 1999 5 years or so only has around 40 security updates. I actually installed Win2k with SP2 initially and got attacked by nothing...I love win2k =)

Actually there have been quite a bit more volunerabilities and updates for 2000, XP simply inherited them. I'm not saying win 2k is a bad OS, but I am saying that without a doubt windows 2000 gold is a lot more voulnerable than xp gold.

Ive never used a firewall on XP or win2k...hate them....pointless to me, never been infected with anything and never had any odd traffic in or out of my PC...guess its all how I play my cards =)

If you had used the xp built-in firewall when you first setup the box it would have been safe long enough to install the updates. But than again those updates are pointless right?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Canterwood

Originally posted by: GenTarkin
I know, but I didnt think it would have been hit that bad...and I hate its firewall, the OS shouldnt be that bad anyhow, thats my point. I run win2k SP4 without a firewall or anything...nothing is infected with anything.

I use Win2K over XP myself, but I'd still never run it without a firewall or anti-virus. The two OS's are very similar and suffer from a lot of the same vulnerabilities.
Even with SP4 installed, I'd say you've been very lucky not to be infected before getting the latest critical patches from windows update.

Yeah. I run W2K SP2 myself as my main OS, but my understanding is that it is just as vulnerable to most of the network worms going around as XP is, and it definately does NOT have a built-in inbound-blocking firewall. I suggest that you install one, stat! (I recommended Kerio 2.1.5 for W2K myself. Lightweight, but pretty good protection.)

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: GenTarkin
Ive never used a firewall on XP or win2k...hate them....pointless to me, never been infected with anything and never had any odd traffic in or out of my PC...guess its all how I play my cards =)

I've never been hit by a car while crossing the street, I still look both ways before I cross.

 

[GenTarkin]

bah whatever...haha win2k still ownz xp...faster too =)

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: GenTarkin
bah whatever...haha win2k still ownz xp...faster too =)

Not on bootup time it's not.
Turn off the XP visual-styles nonsense and it's as fast as Win2k.

Plus, let's say you break your installation of Win2k. Okay, load up System Restore.. oh, wait, you don't have that.
Let's try the Recovery Console.... no, wait, you don't have that either.

So how does Win2k "ownz" XP then? Please, do explain. I could do with a laugh.