Almost 40 Percent of Computer Users Have Cursed at Their PC According to Just-Released Survey by Avira

Over 14,000 people respond to survey about cursing or being violent to a computer; 9 Percent Admit to Hitting their PC with Another Object like Fist or Bat

Tettnang, February 8, 2011 – IT security expert Avira found during a consumer security survey of its computer users in December that almost two out of every five people worldwide have cursed at their computers at some point in the past. Ironically, almost the same amount of people admitted to never yelling at their computer during moments of frustration. In addition, 11 percent of respondents wished for a catastrophic act to happen to their PC, while 9 percent actually have hit their computer with another object (baseball bat, fist, etc.) and just three percent have actually picked up a computer and smashed it into the ground or against another object in disgust.

The sample size of the consumer security survey was a record 14,284 with a margin of error of +/- .82 percent. The questions were posed to Avira’s 100+ million customers worldwide, giving the survey an international flavor. Here are the results to Avira’s December security survey:

• 39% - Cursed or yelled at the computer out loud?
• 38% - No! I would never yell at my computer, it is too sensitive. (I friendly try to encourage it working again...)?
• 11% - Thought Wished for catastrophe to strike the company that makes your operating system software or computer?
• 9% - Hit your computer with another object (fist, baseball bat, etc.)?
• 3% - Actually thrown the computer to the ground or against a desk or other piece of furniture?

“It is true that we tried to have some fun with this question of the month since it was December and traditionally many people are online shopping with some experiencing problems if a PC stops working or if they cannot access a website at the appropriate time,” said Elisabeth Rothbart, PR Manager, Avira. “I think the funny aspect to this question is that an equal number of people curse at their PC vs. being nice to them. There is probably some anger management factoid in the results some place, but we’ll worry about the PC side of things. I don’t recommend violence of any sort toward computers or anything else, but I can relate to the feelings of frustration.”

About Avira

Avira wants its customers to ‘live free’ from spyware, phishing, viruses and other internet-based threats.
The company was founded 25 years ago on Tjark Auerbach's promise to "make software that does good things for my friends and family." More than 100 million consumers and small businesses now depend upon Avira’s security expertise and award-winning antivirus software, making the company the number-two market share leader globally. Avira provides IT-security protection to computers, smartphones, servers and networks, delivered as both software and cloud-based services.

In addition to protecting the online world, Avira's CEO promotes well-being in the offline world through the Auerbach Foundation, which supports charitable and social projects. The philosophy of the foundation is to help people to help themselves.

For more information, please visit www.avira.com or join the community at www.facebook.com/avira.