Microsoft today credited a February security update for lowering AutoRun-abusing malware infection rates on Windows XP and Vista by as much as 82% since the start of the year.



From ComputerWorld:

Microsoft changed AutoRun's behavior in Windows 7 to block automatic execution of files on a USB drive. It first backported the modifications to Windows XP and Vista in 2009. Until February, however, users had to manually seek out the update.

With the update in place, flash drives inserted into a PC running XP or Vista no longer offer the option to run programs. AutoRun's extinction does not affect CDs or DVDs, however.

  Windows XP, Vista AutoRun update reduces malware infections by 82%