Dennis Technology Labs Windows Updates vs. Web Threats 10/10/2014

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Updating Windows improves system security by over 90 per cent

93 per cent of the threats used in this test were rendered harmless by updating the Windows 7 systems fully. Updating third-party applications separately and in isolation increased security slightly, but not in addition to the security levels obtained through applying Windows Updates regularly.

Patching supplements, but should not replace, anti-malware protection

Updating vulnerable software made a large improvement to the systems' security but additional protection was available when adding anti-malware software, either free or paid-for. Adding Microsoft Security Essentials increased the protection level to 99 per cent.

Windows users who update regularly achieve much the same security regardless of which anti-malware software they choose

Systems running anti-malware products that scored very well in our previous tests, without the benefit of recent Windows updates, experienced minimal further advantage once these were applied. However, Windows updates added considerable extra protection when weaker anti-malware products were installed.

PDF: http://dennistechnologylabs.com/reports/s/a-m/microsoft/DTL_2014_Updates_MS.1.1a.pdf

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