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| 16% of Sophos's web visitors are using Firefox as
an alternative to Microsoft Internet Explorer. |
Experts at SophosLabs™, Sophos's global network of virus and
spam analysis centres, have advised businesses and home users to
update their version of the Mozilla Firefox web browser, in order
to protect against a series of critical security flaws.
Firefox 1.0.3 addresses a number of critical security
vulnerabilities which could be exploited by malicious hackers.
Proof-of-concept code which demonstrates some of the
vulnerabilities is believed to have already been written.
"The increasing popularity of Firefox as an alternative web
browser means that its users will be targeted by more hackers in
the future, so everyone needs to keep their software up-to-date to
protect against vulnerabilities," said Graham Cluley, senior
technology consultant for Sophos. "With organised crime
increasingly attempting to steal from innocent users through
viruses, phishing attacks and spyware, no-one can afford to rest on
their laurels when it comes to security."
A study conducted by Sophos has found that 16% of visitors to
www.sophos.com are using the Firefox web browser. This compares to
an estimated internet average of 5%. The Firefox web browser has
proven increasingly popular as an alternative to Internet Explorer,
after a long history of attacks targeting users of the Microsoft
product.
"People who are concerned with security visit the Sophos website
to find out about the latest viruses, worms, and security issues.
It's probably not surprising to see that they are also more likely
than the average internet user to have switched to Firefox,"
continued Cluley. "Nevertheless, it's still essential that they
keep on-the-ball and update themselves to this new version."
More information about the new version of Firefox, which is
available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, can be found on Mozilla's website.
Sophos continues to recommend computer users practise safe computing as well as running
up-to-date anti-virus software.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com.