A Web poll of more than 160 business PC users, conducted by IT security and control firm Sophos, has revealed 30% of respondents felt that system administrators should shoulder the blame for the recent Conficker worm outbreak, which has struck hard against businesses across the globe - because they were too slow to roll out a Microsoft security patch.
Microsoft also felt the wrath, with 17% of respondents feeling that it is the operating systems vendor's fault for having the security hole in the first place. Just over half of all respondents (53%) hold the virus writers responsible for the worm, which takes advantage of the flaw.
The majority of users believe that the virus writers must take the ultimate responsibility for deliberately creating and unleashing this worm, which has wreaked havoc on poorly protected businesses.
"What is most surprising is that so many technical people blame their peers for not doing a better job of defending their networks. Many companies appear to be incredibly frustrated by the constant need to roll out emergency patches across their networks. Worryingly for Microsoft, one in five people's anger is aimed in their direction for having the software flaw in the first place," says Brett Myroff, CEO of regional Sophos distributor, Sophos South Africa.
Microsoft released an emergency security patch, which can help prevent the Conficker worm from infecting Windows systems, in late October 2008. In the last week, a resurgence in the worm has spread via the security hole, cracking poorly-chosen passwords and also infecting via USB sticks.
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Sophos South Africa
Netxactics, trading as Sophos South Africa, is a South African-based company focused on the provision of security solutions. It is the master distributor for UK-based Sophos, one of the leaders in the provision of network access control and endpoint, e-mail and Web security and control solutions for the corporate environment. For more information, visit Sophos South Africa at http://www.sophos.co.za.
Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises worldwide to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Our network access control, endpoint, Web and e-mail solutions simplify security to provide integrated defences against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, we protect over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with our reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognised for our high level of customer satisfaction, we have an enviable history of industry awards, reviews and certifications. Sophos is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Oxford, UK.
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