Virus Trouble? Blame Adobe (Reader) – PDF Reader Alternatives

Even with the release of windows 7, the major operating system is still a easy and toothless target for hackers. Microsoft windows has been viable to thousands of viruses and the list is growing everyday. In this article, we enumerate the possible and most attacked software and also sum it up with some alternatives.

The Easy Solution

The best way to be virus free is to dump windows and get a mac or a Linux box and be virus free. For all others, read on.

Most Hacked Software in 2009

Forbes came up with a list of software that were hacked most number of times in 2009. Not surprisingly, Adobe reader topped the list. Other software which were hacked most included Internet Explorer (No surprise again), Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office. Apple quickTime, Abode Flash. While some people blame the wide audience for these software to have been targeted, Microsoft and Adobe also play a lot of responsibility for the negligence. Both companies have always reported the possibilities of a hack without posting a solution in many cases.

More predictions from experts

Security experts McAfee have also predicted Adobe Reader as likely to be the most hacked software in 2010, and Adobe Reader is supposed to surpass Microsoft Office as the most desktop PCs attacked. [Joke : Is Microsoft getting better? NO, Its just Adobe getting worse!]

How Do you Protect myself?

If you are using a windows machine, here are some steps that can help.
1. Use two different accounts with different privileges and use the non-administrator mode for everyday actions.

2.Dump Adobe reader and that would have cleared a good percentage of chances of your computer getting hacked.

3. Always Use the latest version of Adobe Reader and also get Windows Security updates often.

PDF reader Alternatives

Here are some good PDF reader alternatives, which you can get for free.

1. Foxit Reader for Windows [Compatible with Windows 7]

2. PDF Exchange Viewer – Free for windows

3. Sumatra PDF – Very light weight, Open source [Recommended]

4. STDU Reader – Light weight and free

Let us know your thoughts on Adobe Reader and PDF readers in general.