Americans wrong about computer security: poll

[surferdude]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Most Americans believe their computers are protected against viruses and spyware, but scans found that a large number had outdated or disabled security software, according to a poll released on Monday.

Fully 87 percent of Americans polled said they had anti- virus software, 73 percent said they had a firewall and 70 percent said they had anti-spyware software, according to the survey by security software maker McAfee Inc and the National Cyber Security Alliance.

But when pollsters asked to remotely scan the respondents' computers, the story turned out to be very different.

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN0129688420071001

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::hi:

[jbs3645]

Good article surferdude. Easy to believe though.

john

[Amie]

This completely boggles my mind, why on earth would people bother to install programs and then not keep them updated, or even worse not have them enabled.

[quote]While 94 percent of those polled had anti-virus software, just half had updated it in the past month, the survey showed. Eighty one percent had a firewall protecting private information, but just 64 percent had enabled it. And 70 percent said they had anti-spyware software, but only 55 percent had enabled it.

[Amie]

This completely boggles my mind, why on earth would people bother to install programs and then not keep them updated, or even worse not have them enabled.

While 94 percent of those polled had anti-virus software, just half had updated it in the past month, the survey showed. Eighty one percent had a firewall protecting private information, but just 64 percent had enabled it. And 70 percent said they had anti-spyware software, but only 55 percent had enabled it.

[surferdude]

I know what you mean. A friend of mine went out & bought a high end pc, I think win xp home, & didn't know he had to have it protected.
I went to his place to "try" to install some good programs on it but it was too far gone. I spent 6 hours trying.
I recently saw him & he told me when his current programs expire,he'll get in touch with me. I emailed him & told him to get me there BEFORE they expire.:thumbs::hi:

[jbs3645]

Because of lack of education about what they are doing. How many people do you know that drive cars and don't have regular service done on them? We are a throw away society. Buy, use it, break, throw it away and buy another. It pops up everywhere in our day to day life. We are so busy we don't have time to care for what we have. It takes time to keep your computer up to date and virus free. You actually have to spend time do chores instead of playing a game or talking to someone and most people won't do it although some know they should. Where in advertising do we see anything about the dull things that must be done. Buy a computer and print pictures of your kids to send to grandma, im and stay in touch, etc. Where do we see anything that says "and once a week, update your programs and run these programs to keep you pc safe". When you buy most household appliances they come with user manuals that tell you what kind of maintenance is needed to keep your product running. It tells you how to clean and how often to clean and how often to perform other services. If you don't it's your fault. What pc or os comes with those instructions?

Yes, this kind of stuff is a pet peeve of mine. Sorry about getting carried away.

john

[Amie]

When you buy most household appliances they come with user manuals that tell you what kind of maintenance is needed to keep your product running. It tells you how to clean and how often to clean and how often to perform other services. If you don't it's your fault. What pc or os comes with those instructions?

Yes, this kind of stuff is a pet peeve of mine. Sorry about getting carried away.

john
John, I agree so much with this, been saying for years that all new PC's should come with a booklet warning people about the bad things that can happen, and giving clear instructions on installing and using anti-virus, a firewall and other security programs. I know of someone whose PC came with a free trial of an anti-virus program, but nowhere were they told it had to be updated regularly, and when the trial period ran out they figured as it had not caught anything, why bother paying to renew it, or install an alternative program instead.