The main target for cybercriminals seeking access to a user's computer are computers without updated software. The top three programs that do not have the latest updates are QuickTime, Java, and Adobe Reader.
The security status of a computer is largely due to the software that the user adds, and to maintain security, it is required to have the latest updates provided by all software companies, not just Microsoft.
According to a report for the U.S., for the last quarter of 2014 regarding the state of computer vulnerability in the country, Java is at the top of the list of software that exposes users' machines to risks.
The data in the Secunia report shows that almost half (48%) of systems in the US have outdated versions of Java. In 44% of cases, Apple QuickTime was installed with outdated versions.
Adobe Reader 10.x appears to be unpatched on 49% of computers that have the software installed on their systems. Secunia reports that “if 49% of computers with Adobe Reader X 10.x installed, which has a 32% market share, are unpatched, 16% of all computers are vulnerable to this software alone.”
The list of vulnerable software includes other software, such as VLC Media Player 2.x, Adobe Reader XI 11.x, and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.x/3.x/4.x. The same goes for applications that are no longer supported by manufacturers, with Adobe Flash Player 15.x at the top.
Secunia, however, states that the information published in their reports reflects the situation recorded as of December 31, 2014, and states that new information that became available later will be published soon, as several new updates have already been released.
