Aussie consumers fearful of Net security

Only two percent of home Internet users believe the Net is safe, according to a new survey commissioned by security vendor Symantec.

Only two percent of home Internet users believe the Net is safe, according to a new survey commissioned by security vendor Symantec.

The survey, querying 518 people, also found that close to half of all respondents believed their banking and personal details are not safe either.

A mere four percent of the respondents believed they would not be the target of online fraud at some stage.

Identity theft was also a fear of 49 percent of people and 15 percent believed their PC had been accessed by a hacker or virus.

Symantec’s David Freer said in a statement that the lack of Internet security had driven consumers to consider stopping all electronic transactions over the Net.

“The lack of consumer confidence in Australia can potentially stall the ability for the economy to continue to grow,” he said.

“Unless we can give consumers the tools and the support they need to be comfortable online, consumers, business and the economy overall will suffer."