Internet Explorer 9 Report: One in fourteen Internet Downloads is Malware

In a recent report on the Internet Explorer blog via MSDN, the application reputation in IE9 reveals that out of every 14 internet downloads, one is considered to be Windows malware.

SmartScreen is a new defense application built into Internet Explorer 9 and has thus far done a good job in protecting computer users from internet malware. To stay ahead of the malware game, SmartScreen's new 'Application Reputation' helps prevent over 20 million new infections per month. The analysis of SmartScreen and Internet Explorer 9 has revealed to computer users that Windows malware is a mounting issue that is found in at least one out of fourteen downloads over the internet.

In knowing that virtually every Windows XP or Windows 7 PC user will encounter some type of malware, for as long as they are connected to the internet, Microsoft has employed IE9 to offer malware protection built in. In doing so, IE9 is purportedly able to be proactive about blocking malware instead of reactive since the figure of 1 in 14 downloads contain malware is pertinent to a web browser downloading a file directly from a website or internet source.

New trends are responsible for malware being so widespread and potent to the point that when you reach your 14th download, you would have supposedly encountered some type of malware. Even still, researchers will tell you that Mac and Linux computers are seeing a steady increase in malware activity that is specifically designed to target systems running Linux or the Mac OS. Windows XP still makes up for about 39% of the computer market where Windows 7 is about 28%. IE9 is not made available to Windows XP and older Windows operating systems but strangely enough; we have seen a shift in malware targeting Windows 7 more so than Windows XP.

Sifting through the new SmartScreen Application Reputation in IE9 report, one would not only reveal how they come to the conclusion that 1 in 14 internet downloads is malware, but you may take notice to how social engineered malware account for millions of daily attacks with those customers who run IE8 and IE9. Social engineered malware attacks are the largest risk on the internet today. In the past web browsers have had difficulties in being any type of front-line defense against social engineered attacks. Microsoft has stepped up to the plate to combat this endeavor which is basically a type of malware attack that preys on human emotions using some type of subject to coincide with a popular event or news story.

Would you move to another web browser if you discovered that the application was poor at proactively protecting you against malware over the internet? Microsoft hopes you would but is just that one factor enough to make you switch?