Avira survey: Ten percent of internet users still surf unprotected

Tue, 08 July 2008

Despite over 750,000 newly discovered viruses every month, 19 percent of users still underestimate the risks of unprotected surfing

Tettnang, 8 July 2008 – Online deception, identity theft, dialer rip-off or contaminated websites: the majority of the Internet community remain unsettled about cyber crime. Nevertheless 10 percent of Internet users do not use any virus protection and just as many only rely on risky On Demand scanners. This result is the conclusion of the latest survey conducted by sescurity experts Avira who posed the "moral issue - question of the month" to 5671 visitors to the website www.free-av.com. Online virus scanners are antivirus programs which load their program and virus patterns online via a network, as opposed to installed virus scanners, and they only work when actioned by the user. On Demand or On Access: how do you prefer your virus scanner?

The majority of internet users use real-time control, this means On Access virus protection: according to the 62 percent of Internet users questioned have installed anti-virus software in operation which carries out tests on files for viruses when they are accessed, instantly detecting and removing Viruses and malware. Nine percent of survey participants exclusively use online scanners because these do not have any negative effects on the working performance of the PC. However, testing for viruses only takes place when actioned by the user. Rainer Witzgall, Executive Vice President of Avira, says: "The dangers for users with online scanners is that between the scans viruses are able to park themselves and secondly an extremely high risk occurs as the computer needs to be connected to the Internet to scan. Greater protection is offered by installed On Access virus protection".

Almost one fifth of the people questioned occasionally resort to an online scanner in order to obtain, in parallel to their installed virus protection, a second opinion. Witzgall adds: "As opposed to On Access programs which are continually operational as virus monitors, On Demand scanners offer no preventative protection against malware. They are suitable for cleaning contaminated computers but are insufficient as a measure of protection". It seems that one out of ten PC users is not concerned about the protection of his or her computer in the World-Wide Web and does not use either On Access nor On Demand virus protection. Witzgall further says: "More and more people are going online as more senior people and PC newcomers discover the advantages of the internet. We continue to raise the awareness and concerns about the dangers of viruses and malware: according to a study conducted by the BSI in 2005, twenty percent of internet users surfed without virus protection, it is now, according to our latest survey, only ten percent. This is a very pleasing step in the right direction".

Avira has a free, resource-friendly On Access virus protection solution available for downloading at www.free-av.com. Those who want added protection with extra features can, for 19.95 Euro per year, receive the Avira AntiVir Premium. The Premium software offers, in addition to the successful base protection, WebGuard which examines the http-based internet traffic for contamination and automatically blocks phishing and malware URLs as well as offering protection from adware and spyware.


About Avira

Avira is a worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With more than twenty years of experience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.

The security expert has several locations in Germany and partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang near Lake Constance, Avira is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 180 employees. Worldwide more than 250 persons are employed and their work regularly wins awards. Avira AntiVir Personal, used by millions of private users, represents a significant contribution to security.

Avira’s national and international customers include renowned corporations listed on the stock exchange but also educational institutions and public authorities. In addition to protection of the virtual environment, Avira also provides for more protection and security in the real world by supporting the Auerbach Foundation. Established by the founder of the company, the Auerbach Foundation promotes charitable and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.

Contact:
Avira GmbH
Elisabeth Rothbart
Lochhamer Schlag 5a
D-82166 Graefelfing/Munich
Phone: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 17
Fax: +49 (0) 89 8583 639 20
Email:  

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