author: programming

Latest Security News | SecurityExtra.com

One in nine Internet users surfing without protection

Posted: 10 Nov 2011 12:50 PM PST

The number of new malware strains is continuing to rise; G Data Security Labs counted over 1.2 million new computer malware strains in the first half of the year alone. Despite this, one in nine Internet users globally do not use a comprehensive security solution, according to the results of the international G Data Security Survey 2011. With total UK broadband take-up now at 74% (source: Ofcom, The Communications Market 2011, Q1), this means that a significant proportion of the population is surfing the Internet unprotected. Although nearly half of UK Internet users have a paid for solution installed, 47% rely on free security software, which is not in all ways as effective as paid for solutions. Globally, four out of ten users consider free virus protection solutions as equal to paid security packages in terms of performance and the level of security technology. These results are worrying, because such Internet users are easy targets for cyber criminals. For more information about user behaviour and knowledge about online threats, see the G Data Security Survey 2011. “Internet users who do not use powerful security solutions to protect themselves from malware and cyber attacks are at risk of falling victim to [...]