In a report overseen by Microsoft, the Windows XP operating system was found to be more than five times as vulnerable to viruses as Windows 8 is. Out of every 1,000 computers scanned, 9.1 Windows XP SP3 systems were infected with a virus, while only 1.6 Windows 8 RTM machines had to be cleaned. The report, which was conducted by Microsoft's own Trustworthy Computing Group, shows that the older the OS, the more vulnerable it is.

This should obviously make Microsoft very happy indeed as it moves to migrate its customers from Windows 7, Vista, XP, and the more recent Windows 8 all to Windows 8.1, the company's latest OS. The 8.1 iteration, which was not tested in the report, launched last month. Microsoft maintains that it is even more secure than its immediate predecessor, incorporating security improvements "including remote business data removal, improved biometrics support, pervasive device encryption, improved Internet Explorer, malware resistance and device lockdown," according to a Microsoft blog post.

Does bricking your brand new Surface machine count as a virus? Upon its release concurrent with Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 RT reportedly bricked Microsoft Surface tablets, forcing the company to temporarily recall the upgrade for RT customers. That aside, it's still safe to say Windows 8.1 is still more secure than any of the older models, as shown in the graphic below.

http://www.slashgear.com/windows-xp-is-469-percent-more-infection-prone-than-windows-8-02303908/