Oracle's Java program most exposed in UK

Adobe Reader and Apple iTunes among other most exposed programs according to Secunia report

An Oracle Java program has topped the list of the UK's most exposed programs in a report on the state of security among private PC users in the UK.

The report by vulnerability management expert Secunia found Oracle's Java JRE 1.7.x / 7.x to be the most exposed program in the UK, with 145 vulnerabilities reported and 42 per cent of users failing to install the latest updates.

Other programs to make the top 10 included Adobe Reader, Apple iTunes and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Kasper Lindgaard, director of research and security at Secunia, said: "With many widely used programs in the top 10 it is worrying that PC users are exposing themselves by leaving vulnerable programs unpatched – programs which then potentially serve as entry points for malware.

"We urge users to take a moment to make sure their systems are up to date with the most recent program versions and patches."

The report also found that one in 20 programs on the average UK PC have reached end of life, meaning they are no longer supported by the vendor and do not receive security updates.