Interesting stats

BITKOM conducted a poll of 1,002 computer users in Germany and found the following:

- 45% do not use a firewall
- 19% have not installed anti-virus software
- More than 25% refuse to shop online because of their fears about security
- Almost 20% will not purchase tickets or books online

While the survey was conducted only in Germany, the results are likely reflective of the situation in other nations. Many simply don't use AV software or services and so allow their computers to become bots for sending spam. Many don't practice other "safe computing" practices, and so allow all kinds of malware to wreak havoc on their systems. A column I wrote for Messaging Wire this week discusses the issue of online trust and Purewire's new source of reputation information, the newest of a growing number of sources that people can turn to for information on the trustworthiness of online sources.

Trust is a serious issue and obviously one that many individuals simply don't take seriously enough.