OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2012. The IT security solutions market offers a lot of universal and specialized antivirus software for PCs. But given the opportunity to choose their ideal protection technology, 62% of users would demand maximum protection against the loss of personal and business information. This is one of the key findings of a survey conducted by Harris Interactive in February-March 2012.

According to the survey, the most common method of data protection is to avoid storing passwords in electronic form. 53% of those surveyed, for example, do not keep this information in a password manager or a text file. A large section of users – 41% - do not allow programs to remember login details. However, while most users are concerned about the safety of their personal information, some basic precautions are often neglected. Only 46% perform regular backups on all devices, and just 30% use data encryption.

The survey presented even more alarming figures which demonstrated the lax attitude of users to their own safety. Specifically, 27% of respondents are unconcerned about the potential dangers of using their bank cards to make online purchases. Another 17% said they would open an attachment to an unsolicited email if it seemed interesting.

Assessing user attitudes to current antivirus packages such as Kaspersky Internet Security, Harris Interactive’s researchers found that 67% knew how to use these programs, but that 39% would turn to others for advice in the face of a threat. Since not all users know exactly how to protect their computer, a user-friendly interface and easy operation are among the most important parameters of reliable security software. Educating users about computer security also matters, particularly via online resources such as Securelist where Kaspersky Lab regularly publishes articles about current threats and the methods that can be used to combat them.