Americans Have False Sense of PC Security
Computer users are in dire need of a "reality check" when it comes to home PC security, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance and security firm McAfee.
In a survey released today by McAfee and NCSA it was found that while 98 percent of computer users agree that having up-to-date security software is important, a significant portion of those same survey respondents are guilty of having home PC's with security software that is incomplete or dangerously out of date.
Today McAfee also announced 2008 editions of its security software products: McAfee Total Protection, McAfee Internet Security, and McAfee VirusScan Plus.
PC Wakeup Calls Needed
Here are some of the survey highlights:
Ninety-two percent of Americans think that their anti-virus software is up to date, however only 51 percent actually have currently updated their anti-virus software within the past week.
Seventy-three percent of PC users in the U.S. think they have a firewall installed and enabled, yet 64 percent actually do.
About 70 percent of PC users think they have anti-spyware software, but only 55 percent have it installed.
Over a quarter of PC users say they have anti-phishing software, compared to the 12 percent that actually do.
Over Three Quarters Unprotected
The study paints a grim picture of who really is protected versus those that actually are. The survey reveals under a quarter of PC users are "fully protected" against malware and viruses.
Interestingly the study says older respondents showed more computer "savvy" than their younger counterparts when it comes to PC security. Nearly 25 percent of PC users 45 and older are fully protected, compared to 18 percent of PC users below the age of 44.
The takeaway for PC users is a no-brainer and that is ignorance is not bliss when it comes to PC security. That point is especially important when it comes to home PCs and the amount of personal financial, health, and private communications (e-mail) that is stored on them, the study points out.
Sure the survey comes off on the self-servant side for McAfee. But I suppose slapping people with threatening statistics is a good way to get them to buy up on the latest McAfee software. The language is also a little less than flattering of computer owners, which pretty much boils down to, "You don't know jack, America."
Check out PC World's latest review of McAfee's Internet Security Suite 2007.
As far as McAfee's security offerings in 2008, its McAfee Total Protection will cost $80 for a one-year subscription, including all signature updates, patches, and software updates. McAfee Internet Security Suite costs $70 for a year, and McAfee VirusScan Plus is $40.
UPDATE: For those concerned about PC security and who don't want to spend a nickel on security software there are plenty of free option out their for you. Here is a link to a wealth of topnotch free security solution posted at PC World's Download section.
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I did 15 seconds worth "due diligence" internet research. From the NCSA site, describing itself: "A public-private partnership, NCSA sponsors include the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Trade Commission, and MANY PRIVATE SECTOR CORPORATIONS and organizations."
Indeed. The NCSA Board of Officers is led by such disinterested parties as NCSA President Douglas Sabo of McAfee. What a surprise, eh? There's more: NCSA secretary is Tiffany Olson Jones of Symantec (We're Norton!) Corporation. Surprised? Only if you believe press releases are actual news items, as opposed to another form of advertising.
So let's see, the NCSA board president, a corporate officer of McAfee, announces this troubling news the SAME day McAfee announces its 2008 product line-up.
Is it too much to ask PC World to provide some factual context? Perhaps mention all the FREEWARE antivirus, antispyware and the antiphishing browser add-ons or options that can be easily accessed via the internet?
Okay, let's face it, crescentdave, everybody does have an ax to grind but as the saying goes, "just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after me". I'm not surprised by the findings, nor do I doubt the accuracy of them, the principals involved, notwithstanding. I can see the blase attitude and in some cases, downright cluelessness in a lot of my friends that are online. It doesn't help my constant pontification about the need for appropriate security when I've gotten two viruses and one trojan in the last year and a half. However, the good news is that my antivirus and my antispyware apps caught all of them with real time scans before much damage was done. I then had the assistance of various security forum sites, the most recent CastleCops to guide me through making sure my computer was cleaned. I scan regularly with top-notched security apps but if those I'm in contact with aren't keeping up their end of the deal, my diligence is going to have to be maintained constantly.