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Press Contact:
Julie Han
415-975-3327
jhan@porternovelli.com
Second Annual AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study Finds 81% of Home
Computers Lack Key Protections Against Viruses, Spyware, Hackers
Identity Theft Risk High As Consumers Turn to Online Holiday
Shopping
DULLES, VA — December 7, 2005 — Phishing attacks
aimed at identity theft now affect roughly one in four Americans
(23%) each month, according to the second annual AOL/National Cyber
Security Alliance (NCSA) Online Safety Study. Additionally, more
than two-thirds of consumers (70%) who received such scam e-mails
thought they were from legitimate companies, putting them at high
risk of losing sensitive personal information to identity thieves
or criminals. The AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study is the largest study
of its kind, sending technical experts into hundreds of typical
homes to examine personal computers for known security risks and
threats.
Highlighting the growing risk from phishing attacks, one in five
respondents (18%) taking part in the study said a friend or family
member had already fallen victim to an online identity theft scam.
And, demonstrating the growing need for consumer education on this
threat, the survey revealed that only 42% were familiar with the
term "phishing," and of those, just 57% could accurately define
it. Most phishing emails appeared to come from legitimate companies
— like banks or credit card companies — and tried to convince
consumers to surrender personal information like credit card numbers
or passwords.
"Phishers are getting better at tricking consumers into revealing
their bank account and financial information, and most Americans
can't tell the difference between real e-mails and the growing flood
of scams that lead to fraud and identity theft." said Tatiana Platt,
Senior Vice President and Chief Trust Officer for AOL. "Consumers
need to be aware of the risk, and they need to use critical protections
like anti-virus software, spyware protection, and a firewall to
help protect them from online threats."
The study found that 81% of home PCs lack at least one of the
three critical protections — updated computer virus software, spyware
protection, and a secure firewall — necessary to help guard against
viruses, spyware, hackers, and other threats. More than half (56%)
of the participants either had no anti-virus protection or had not
updated it within the last week, almost half (44%) did not have
a properly-configured firewall, and four in ten (38%) lacked spyware
protection. Yet, despite these findings, the large majority of users
(83%) falsely believed that they were safe from online threats.
"There is a major perception gap: Even though most consumers think
they are protected, this study shows the opposite. Far too many
people still lack the three fundamental protections they need to
stay safe online — current anti-virus software, spyware protection,
and a secure firewall," Ron Teixeira, executive director, National
Cyber Security Alliance. "As we move into a broadband world, where
consumers have an always-on connection to the Internet, these core
protections are even more vital. This is particularly troubling,
given that more than two-thirds of those surveyed say they keep
sensitive information on their PCs."
These findings come as consumers get ready to spend billions over
the Internet this holiday season. According to Jupiter Research,
online shopping is expected to top $26 billion for the year (an
18% increase over 2004), with millions of consumers putting financial
and personal information online.
Half of Wireless Consumers Lack Basic Protection
In addition, the study found that while more homes are connecting
to the Internet using wireless networks, too few of them are properly
set up to keep out intruders. More than one out of four homes had
a wireless network (26%), and nearly half of these homes (47%) failed
to encrypt their connection, a safety precaution needed to protect
wireless networks from outside intruders.
Despite Gaps, Some Progress in Improving Security
On the positive side, the survey found that home computer users
have made some progress in improving specific areas of their security.
The percent of homes with properly-configured firewall protection
jumped from 28% to 56%, as Microsoft rolled out its Windows XP SP2
update with a default-on firewall, and the percent with recently-updated
anti-virus software on their computers rose from 33% to 44%. Meanwhile,
the percent of home PCs with spyware or adware programs on their
computer dropped from 80% to 61% this year, while the percent with
active viruses fell from 19% to 12%.
"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," said
Platt. "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.
You can't lock just a few of the windows in your house and expect
to stay safe from thieves."
Other Key Findings
- Three-quarters (74%) of respondents use their computers for
sensitive transactions such as banking, stock trading, or reviewing
personal medical information.
- More than two-thirds (68%) keep sensitive information on their
home computers like personal correspondence, resumes or professional
records, or health or financial information.
- More than half (55%) say they have been infected by a virus
in the past.
- The percent of computers with an active file-sharing program
fell by more than half from 23% to 11%.
- Homes with children were more likely to have spyware or adware
on the computer. More than two-thirds (69%) of homes with children
under age 18 had spyware/adware, vs. 58% of households without
kids.
- Seven in ten (70%) users now say that they use a pop-up blocker
(vs. 47% last year)
Additional information about the National Cyber Security Alliance,
including tips to stay safe online, and the complete results of
the AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study are available at www.staysafeonline.org.
If consumers believe they've become a victim of online identity
theft, they can visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft
for up-to-date information about how to work with credit bureaus
and law enforcement agencies to reclaim their identity. OnGuard
Online, a joint project of the federal government and the technology
industry, has information about how to avoid phishing scams at www.OnGuardOnline.gov/phishing.
METHODOLOGY
The 2005 AOL-NCSA Online Safety Study was conducted through in-person
interviews and technical analyses with a typical sample of 354 dial-up
and broadband adult computer users, at least 18 years of age, from
September 19 to October 28, 2005. The sample included 225 broadband
users (64 percent) and 129 dial-up users (36 percent). The survey
also included a sub-sample of 100 households that were asked to
turn off all spam filtering software and retain all e-mails received
for a two-week period. Technicians reviewed each of the thousands
of e-mail received by those households to evaluate phishing threats.
About The National Cyber Security Alliance
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the National Cyber Security
Alliance (NCSA) is a central clearinghouse for cyber security awareness
and education for home users, small businesses, and the education
community. A public-private partnership, NCSA sponsors include the
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Trade Commission, and many
private-sector corporations and organizations. For more information,
and to review the top 8 cyber security practices, visit www.staysafeonline.org.
About America Online, Inc
America Online, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate a leading network
of Web brands and the largest Internet access subscription service
in the United States . Brands include the AOLÆ service, the AOL.comÆ
website, and the AIMÆ, MapQuestÆ, MoviefoneÆ, NetscapeÆ, CompuServeÆ
and ICQÆ services. America Online offers a range of digital services
including the TotalTalkÆ voice service. The company also has operations
in Canada and Europe . America Online, Inc. is based in Dulles,
Virginia, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.
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