Survey Reveals Online Security is a Major Threat for Consumers in New Zealand and Australia

AUCKLAND -- 5 May, 2005 -- New Zealanders show concern over growing online security risks yet still provide personal details over the web without adequate security, according to a survey conducted by Bread and Butter Research and Planning on behalf of Symantec Corporation, the global leader in information security.

The survey which examined the security practices of 500 respondents across New Zealand and Australia outlines the main internet issues faced by consumers today; the measures consumers are taking to protect themselves from Internet security threats and analyses how security savvy New Zealanders are in comparison to Australians.

Some of the key findings of the research include:

• 75 per cent of the total respondents pass their personal details, such as bank accounts, credit card or tax file numbers over the internet
  
• 16 per cent of the total respondents do not take any proactive steps to check for online fraud, with New Zealand users less like to make any regular checks
  
• Concerns regarding online security risks have significantly impacted behaviour with the implication that the total respondents would do a lot more online if they felt safer. To avoid online security risks 75 per cent of the total respondents avoided downloading material; 60 per cent avoided giving out personal details; 58 per cent avoided certain websites and 52 per cent avoided providing their email address
  
• Only one per cent of the total respondents claimed not to have experienced any internet issues while 96 per cent of respondents claimed they had been affected by spam; 85 per cent by adware; 77 per cent by viruses; 59 per cent by spyware and 44 per cent by phishing
  
• 53 per cent of Australians were affected by phishing attacks in comparison to New Zealand where only 30 per cent were affected by phishing scams
  
• 34 per cent of Australians received spam emails more than six times a day in comparison to New Zealand with only 23 per cent. Spam was the most frequently experienced Internet problem
  
• 48 per cent would avoid shopping on certain websites to avoid online security risks while 18 per cent would avoid shopping online.