CorpComms Magazine

Internet users are growing more aware of online security issues, however many are not using the right tools to protect their privacy, according to a recent American study by online privacy specialists Anonymizer.

Almost half of the respondents were unaware that using the social networking site Facebook compromised privacy, while 29 per cent of those who are aware have no plans to leave the site. More than a quarter of respondents believed that Facebook sells their personal data, and 61 per cent said that they are not sure either way.

More than half of the 25 to 40 age group were worried that websites and search engines collect their personal data, and this figure rose to 68 per cent in the 41 to 60s. In the over 60s age group, more than three quarters were concerned.

The research found that 44 per cent do not store their credit card details on e-commerce sites, as a security measure, becuase the respondents rated having a credit card stolen as their biggest privacy worry online. More than a third take extra care when creating new passwords, and just more than a quarter enable the highest security settings for their accounts on social media sites.

As many as 95 per cent of respondents say they take precautions to protect their online privacy, with more than three quarters using anti-virus software and 60 per cent enabling firewalls.

A fifth of Internet users were most worried about getting a computer virus and 17 per cent about having their personal information stolen.

The survey took place in between 12 October and 14 October 2011, and included 1,050 adults aged 25 and older.

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