Print
Maximum PC readers tend to be ahead of the curve in common sense computing, so it probably won't come as much of a surprise that using the term "free" when searching for stuff online increases the chances of running across a malware infected site. What we did find shocking, however, is just how much a single search term increases that risk.
In a report titled, "Digital Music and Movies Report: The True Cost of Free Entertainment" (PDF), security firm McAfee claims that adding "free" to a search for music ringtones results in a 300 percent increase in the risk of landing on a site booby-trapped with malware.
"Add the world 'buy' to 'ringtones' and search results immediately become safer than searching for ringtones by themselves," McAfee said.
Interestingly, McAfee notes that "searching for the artist plus 'screensaver' yielded an additional 50 percent increase in risk over the risk associated with 'ringtones,'" but "adding the world 'free' before music-related screensavers actually reduces the riskiness of returned search results."
So what's the bottom line? Same as always -- surf safely, avoid suspicious downloads and links, and if you haven't already, grab an AV solution.
Comments are closed on this article
tornato7
September 15, 2010 at 3:19pm
One time, for some reason (i forget why), I wanted to get malware on my computer. But after searching "virus download" and "free malware" I did not get any.
Blues22475
September 15, 2010 at 10:44am
Most of these reports come from the companies I don't trust for anything anymore. Like the previous poster said, can we get reports from someone OTHER THAN McAfee and Symantec?
JohnP
September 15, 2010 at 10:19am
Isn't there ANY source of malware news that MPC can come up with which is NOT from a anti virsus/malware company? PC World manages to find securty threats from reputable , independent sources, why not you?
Once again, what do expect McAfee to say "Gee folks, everything is actually pretty darn safe on the internet these days, so don't bother buying our products. Thanks anyways!"
There has to be some other sorce of news other than press releases for software companies. Want me to google them? It's obvious that you are not willing or capable of it.
Paul_Lilly
September 15, 2010 at 11:16am
In many cases, security reports and research originate from security vendors. Obviously these companies have a vested interest in security, but that alone doesn't make their findings invalid. On the contrary, it's their business to keep up with the latest trends.
If we deem one of their reports newsworthy -- in this case, claiming the simple act of adding "free" to a search query increases the risk of landing on a malware site by 300 percent -- we'll post it, just as we will if an independent lab releases a newsworthy report. What you won't find us doing is recommending a security company's software based on their own research.
I think out AV coverage is pretty well rounded. In addition to the mega 10-way Security Shootout we ran earlier this year, we've also been making room for standalone reviews of suites that didn't make the initial cut, most of which are available online (I think only Kaspersky's evaluation isn't yet online, which is in the currently shipping November issue).
-Paul Lilly
Vernak
September 15, 2010 at 2:27pm
I have to agree with some of the points of the previous poster, Paul, as well as yourself.
There are reports from various organizations regarding security that Maximum PC does not regularly frequent. I mean this with no offense, but I do not believe that this is a primary focus of Maximum PC. My personal focus is information assurance and security. That being said, I am interested in things that many Maximum PC readers may not be as concerned with. Even within the construct of Maximum PC's target audience, I think that something like http://bit.ly/aGYdvH would likely appease the concerns of the aforementioned poster. I certainly dont wish to speak directly for him or her, but that is my interpretation of their tone.
Conversely, I believe that you, Paul, defend your magazine fairly well in many regards. I agree with you in the sense that the vast majority of security reports are so chock-full of conflicts of interest that you almost have to leave it up to the reader to filter through the marketing. I feel that your Security Shootout was a step in the right direction for Maximum PC as well. I was also very happy to see your hilarious Kaspersky Internet Security review in my November copy I received the other day. I use the product myself and I am very pleased with it. I have been a longstanding proponent of Eugene Kaspersky's work and have had the luxury of hearing him speak at a conference. He strikes me as a guy that just "gets it" and it is reflected in his products.
deadsenator
September 15, 2010 at 4:54pm
..and I am sorry, but as an IT guy on the ground, I have a mistrust for most things Gartner says. Much of what they have to say seems to be industry funded garbage directed towards management types that can't read between the lines. Not saying that is you, but I toss out the window much of what they say. Same goes with McAffee and Symantec. With free AV running strong, it's difficult to recommend them. Evar.
I'll have to read the Kaspersky article later.
Vernak
September 15, 2010 at 8:16pm
I know where you're coming from but Gartner is a known market researcher and I grabbed a security article from them related to the security software market. I dont always agree with them either, but it was something I recently read that seems to be in line with something the first poster may possibly have wanted to see.
To your second point, there are a lot of pretty admirable free antivirus solutions out there, but I think that the Kaspersky article may surprise you. Eugene and his daughter do a great job with their business.
aviaggio
September 15, 2010 at 7:57am
Sure glad we have McAfee letting us know that searching for "free" stuff is bad while searching for "buy" stuff is good.
Maybe if they weren't spending so much time doing random Google searches they would actually have a decent AV product.
