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26/03/2007
Internet users 'failing to protect against web fraud'
More than one in ten internet users have experienced web fraud in the past year as they are failing to take proper security precautions, a new survey has revealed.
The survey of more than 2,000 UK internet adult users, conducted by government-backed safety campaign Get Safe Online, found that 12% had experienced online fraud in the last year. During that time, 6% suffered fraud while shopping online, 5% experienced another form of general online fraud and 4% were subject to bank account or credit card fraud as a result of activity online.
However, the survey also found that fewer than half (48%) of internet users felt responsible for their own online safety. One in six believed that their bank was wholly responsible for their online protection, while 13% felt that it was up to their internet service provider.
The report found that 93% of internet users now use the web daily, and that, on average, we each spend �1,044 per year buying goods and services on the web - equivalent to �30 billion for the UK online population as a whole.
Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, said: "The internet is a fantastic resource and its use is growing daily. Unfortunately, it is now also being used by criminals who are out to defraud us.
"If we all take greater care to protect our personal information online, we can reduce the majority of these criminal activities. Our message is that each one of us has to take greater personal responsibility for our own online security."
The survey also asked respondents what they wanted to see more of to increase user safety on the internet.
More than half (53%) said that there should be an 'internet safety test', which should be taken by users in order to ensure that they are aware of the risks and their personal responsibility to stay safe.
More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78%) also felt that there should be lessons in schools in order to help young people understand the risks and know how to stay safe on the internet.
(KMcA/SP)
The survey of more than 2,000 UK internet adult users, conducted by government-backed safety campaign Get Safe Online, found that 12% had experienced online fraud in the last year. During that time, 6% suffered fraud while shopping online, 5% experienced another form of general online fraud and 4% were subject to bank account or credit card fraud as a result of activity online.
However, the survey also found that fewer than half (48%) of internet users felt responsible for their own online safety. One in six believed that their bank was wholly responsible for their online protection, while 13% felt that it was up to their internet service provider.
The report found that 93% of internet users now use the web daily, and that, on average, we each spend �1,044 per year buying goods and services on the web - equivalent to �30 billion for the UK online population as a whole.
Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, said: "The internet is a fantastic resource and its use is growing daily. Unfortunately, it is now also being used by criminals who are out to defraud us.
"If we all take greater care to protect our personal information online, we can reduce the majority of these criminal activities. Our message is that each one of us has to take greater personal responsibility for our own online security."
The survey also asked respondents what they wanted to see more of to increase user safety on the internet.
More than half (53%) said that there should be an 'internet safety test', which should be taken by users in order to ensure that they are aware of the risks and their personal responsibility to stay safe.
More than three-quarters of those surveyed (78%) also felt that there should be lessons in schools in order to help young people understand the risks and know how to stay safe on the internet.
(KMcA/SP)
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