UsageWatch.org

Most uses of Internet technologies are straightforward. Others instead are quite sophisticated. They require a good understanding of how the technology works and some system management. The AOL and National Cyber Security Alliance Online Safety Study reminds us of how complex Internet can be for many people, and even for those experienced users who took part in the study (online for more than 6 years on average). The research highlights how this complexity contributes to confusion and inefficacy when it comes to manage Online Safety.

A word on the structure of the study, because it is clever and original. A sample of 329 urban/suburban adult Internet users were surveyed over the phone, and answered around 40 questions, about demographics, factual behavioural descriptions, knowledge evaluations and attitudes. Then, a group of technicians examined the respondents' computers safety status and configuration.

In the large majority of households, the connected home computer plays a sensitive role: it stores confidential information and processes confidential transactions (84% and 72% respectively). Most people feel that it is safe from online threats (77%) and from hackers (60%). At the same time, for some people the connected home computer is also an open system. Almost half of the respondents (47%) have downloaded file sharing applications, and one computer out of four has such an application installed and active. Fewer households have a wireless network (12%), and when they do, most take steps to protect it (62% encrypt and 51% use MAC filtering).

VIRUS PROTECTION
A majority of respondents (73%) declare that they feel safe from viruses (14% very, 59% somewhat safe) even though in the past they experienced viruses on their computer (63%, 18% don't know) and today they don't know whether they do or not (50%) or think they might have one (6%). The home computer analysis shows that 19% have at least a virus.

When it comes to protection, the large majority (83%) says they have anti-virus software (9% don't know). The home computer analysis confirms the presence of anti-virus software (85%). This software either came with the computer (55%) or was purchased by the user (44%). But since new viruses appear all the time, anti-virus software has to be kept constantly updated. The majority of respondents (71) say that they update daily/weekly. The others say that they never do so (12%); they do so on a monthly basis (12%) or on a yearly basis (5%). Contrary to what has been said, the analysis indicates 33% updates within the previous week and 52% between one and more than six month. In reality, the majority of respondents (67%) either have no anti-virus protection or have not recently updated their protection.

The fact that most respondents (58%) say they don't understand well the difference between a firewall and antivirus software doesn't help.

ACCESS PROTECTION
Given the previous findings, it is not surprising to discover that half the respondents (48%) feel they know well what a firewall is and how it works. One on three (37%) say they use a firewall and think that the firewall is set up correctly (87%). The home computer analysis confirms the proportion of firewalls (33%), but also indicates that most of the times they aren’t properly configured (72%).

SPYWARE/ADWARE PROTECTION
Even though they all experienced spyware/adware generated nuisance, and have heard the term spyware (91%), knowledge of what it is and of ways to remove them is very limited. And even if practically none of the respondents (90%) say they accept installation of spyware/adware, one in two respondents (53%) believe they have spyware/adware on their machine. The analysis shows that they are actually 80% to have spyware/adware installed. And practically all of them (86%) accepted the technicians' offer to remove the spyware/adware components from their computers.

Where: US
When: September 15th - October 8th 2004