Computer Users Reel under a False Sense of Security

A majority of end users who think their computers are safe from Internet threats like viruses, spyware and hackers truly have little or no protection on their systems, according to a survey that research firm iTracks conducted on behalf of Verizon.

In the survey, Verizon wanted to know from 545 computer users what level of security is deployed in their systems for protection against common threats like spyware and viruses.

The results revealed that 92% of users are sure their computers are protected against spyware while a scan showed that 58% are actually or potentially vulnerable to its infection. With respect to viruses, another 92% believed their computers are well protected, but a scan found that 45% are actually or potentially vulnerable to its infection.

Verizon's study, however, has a positive outcome where 94% of the end users said they welcomed a check or diagnosis of the status of their Internet security at regular intervals to ensure their systems are secured.

Vice President for broadband services of Verizon, Bill Heilig, said that protection for Internet security is analogous to an alarm that warns the presence of smoke. It is only great when in working condition for if the battery dies out, it is worse than the absence of such an alarm because it gives a sense of assumed security. Such is the situation with most online users today with their ignorance of threats that is definitely damaging, Heilig analyzed. Darkreading published Heilig's statement on December 10, 2007.

Furthermore, according to experts, computer virus has been considered as the basic concern of network administrators and computer users for long. But with improvement in anti-virus technology, the cases of computers infected with virus have come down. Currently, it is spyware that is placing organizations at the greatest risk.

Verizon also noted that in today's anti-malware scenario, almost all new systems have inbuilt off-the-shelf software for security, which run on trial for a short period or for a one-year prepaid subscription. But when that period or the subscription expires, buyers have to go for a license renewal by paying full charges to the vendor for the protection to continue.

Related article: Computer Virus Writers Adopt New Strategy

» SPAMfighter News - 12/23/2007