Online safety improving, but many still lack critical software defense

• Spyware and viruses have infected fewer home PCs than a year ago, but the large majority of computer users still lack a critical software defense, such as spyware protection, up-to-date antivirus or a properly configured firewall, according to a study of Internet users released on Wednesday.
• The Online Safety Study, conducted by America Online and the National Cyber Security Alliance, analyzed the security of 354 broadband and dial-up users' computers.
• While improvements are evident, consumers still have a long way to go, said Tatiana Platt, chief trust officer for America Online.
• "Although we have made some strides in helping consumers protect themselves, the threats are growing broader and more dangerous, so the risk of failure can be that much more catastrophic," Platt said in a statement announcing the study.
• "When a single virus, a simple scam or hidden spyware program can shut down your computer or cause a person to lose their bank account, their family pictures, or all of their personal records, it is vital that consumers take every possible step to protect themselves."
• Current attacks mainly attempt to gain personal information for identity theft or compromise PCs connected to broadband internet accounts.
• Almost 70 per cent of the surveyed customers thought such phishing attacks were email messages from a legitimate company, and 18 percent said a friend or family member had fallen victim to such an attack.
• Almost three-quarters of the people surveyed use their computers for sensitive transactions online, suggesting that successful phishing attacks could easily gain access to financial information, the study said.
• Identity theft using information gleaned from consumers' systems is growing quickly, but still pales in comparison to offline identity theft.
• In 2004, online identity fraud totaled 11.6 per cent of all cases of identity theft, according to a survey of 552 people conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research.