Microsoft plans to report on Monday that the security of its Windows operating system has significantly improved, while at the same time the threat of computer viruses, frauds and other online scourges has become much more serious.The company blames organized crime, naïve users and its competitors for the deteriorating situation.In the latest edition of its twice-a-year “Security Intelligence Report,” Microsoft said that the amount of malicious or potentially harmful software removed from Windows computers grew by 43 percent during the first half of 2008.
http://nytimes.com/2008/11/03/technology/companies/03security.htmlMicrosoft fingers Apple and Real for Vista insecurities
Microsoft has made its operating systems more secure with XP SP2/3 and Vista, so cybercriminals have shifted their attack to third-party applications — 90% of newly reported vulnerabilities involve applications, and only 10% affect operating systems. And yes, you can scan for them….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2008/nov/03/windows-security