Data and Identity Theft Tops List of Computer Security Worries, But Many Admit to Poor Security
According to a recent study conducted by Trend Micro, approximately one third of respondents worry about data theft (32 percent) and identify theft (33 percent), compared with just 14 percent who have concerns about car theft. Of the 4 percent of respondents who had suffered from the theft of a laptop, one in five claimed that they had subsequently become the victim of further crimes when the thieves used personal information stored on the computer for identity theft or fraud.
The study also showed that 82 percent of respondents regularly make purchases online with a credit or debit card, and 71 percent bank online. Almost 60 percent of participants store sensitive or confidential information on their laptops. Unfortunately, among the respondents who use their laptops to store sensitive information, a quarter of them do not take any measures to secure their computers.
Although the majority of users had serious concerns about computer security, too many lacked sufficient measures to protect them from identity theft and fraud when conducting personal transactions online. One third of the participants (31 percent) indicated that they believe retailers should do more to protect them during online transactions.
"It is reassuring to see how many consumers are now actively aware of the threats posed by computer related crime, but the large number of laptop users still without security is greatly disturbing," said Lane Bess, the global general manager consumer products and services for Trend Micro. "As laptop usage grows in-line with todayî–¸ on-the-go lifestyles, security-aware consumers are looking for advanced security solutions that extend beyond their computers and enable them to remotely protect themselves from data, identity theft and fraud."
Other key findings include:
- Respondents to the survey were slightly more likely to leave sensitive or confidential information on their laptop computers (58%) than in their cars (55%). Of the 58% who keep sensitive data on their laptops:
- 84% store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) on their laptops
- 69% store personal digital content (photos, videos, music, games, etc.) on their laptops
- 63% store bank or credit card information on their laptops
- 31% of those surveyed do not protect their laptops IN ANY WAY. Among those who store sensitive information on their laptops, one quarter do not take any measures at all to secure their laptops.
- 82% of respondents reported that they regularly make purchases online using bank cards. 71% said that they conduct online banking regularly.
- Close to half of the consumers would purchase security software that would allow them to lock down their laptops remotely in the event of theft.
- Only about a quarter of those answering the survey believe that their current laptop security software can adequately protect their sensitive information if their laptops were stolen.
Survey Methodology:
The survey was conducted online during July and August, 2006. It collected responses from 700 American adults (at least 18 years old), who drive a car and own a laptop for their personal use.
