We’re hearing a lot on the news in the U.S. about declining consumer
confidence in purchases, but it seems Americans are still confident in
their computers — perhaps too confident. StopBadware recently
commissioned a Zogby poll of internet users’ feelings about online
safety. We found that 88 percent of internet users feel safe when
accessing the internet, and 84 percent feel they have the information
and tools needed to make good decisions to protect their privacy and
security online.

Unfortunately, this confidence does not reflect the reality. Research by
McAfee and the National Cyber Security Alliance recently found that just
24 percent of internet users are protecting themselves by installing a
firewall and updating both anti-virus and anti-spyware software regularly.

It’s great that Americans are feeling confident in the internet, but it
is also important to back up the confidence with security precautions.
To that end, StopBadware manager Maxim Weinstein recently participated
in a Federal Trade Commission event for business, government and
technology leaders to discuss strategies for consumer education about
online safety.

Read our release about the data: http://www.stopbadware.org/home/pr_033108