New figures from Microsoft reveal that 44 per cent of computer users have suffered a virus attack in the past year.

In a survey of 1,500 computer users, 70 per cent considered their machines 'fairly' or 'totally' secure, while only 3 per cent acknowledged the security level of their computers was poor. Yet despite this overblown confidence, 44 per cent had fallen victim to viruses in the past year.

It appears that many people only associate computing risk with the data that can only be held on a computer. More than half claimed that email is in the top three things they would hate to lose, followed by digital photos and contacts and 47.7 and 44 per cent respectively.

But while many of us manage many other aspects of our lives through our computers and the Internet, only a third consider their banking details to be a top three concern. Yet 31 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women had been subject to Internet threats such as ID fraud and phishing in the past year.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at UK security company Sophos said he wasn't surprised at these alarming figures. He thought many consumers would be unable to tell that they had been infected and that the figure of 44 per cent was rather conservative. 'I'm a bit pessimistic when it comes to the great unwashed public,' he said. 'The truth is probably much worse than any of us can imagine.'

He said that with the continued prevalence of Netsky-P - a virus which has been around since March - there are clearly many unprotected machines connected to Internet without updated antivirus protection, or any such software at all. 'It's often the home user making life tough for the rest of us,' he said. And he thought that worries about losing a digital photo were entirely misplaced when there are people out there actively trying to steal your identity.

Microsoft Windows Product Manager Joel Davies said: 'Because Internet threats aren't tangible, it can be easy to underestimate the damage they can cause. But it's vital to protect the personal data on your PC in the same way as you'd take out insurance on your mobile or make sure you keep your doors locked.'

Corpex recommends home computer users as well as companies protect their computers with a consolidated solution to thwart virus and spam threats as well as secure their desktop and servers with updated anti-virus and anti-spam protection such as Armour Plate.

Source: PC Pro

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