87 percent of UK claim to have good understanding of spyware.

Webroot Software, Inc. have released the results of a survey of 3,000 U.K. home computer users reviewing their understanding of external Internet threats and attacks to their PCs. The survey reveals that advanced forms of spyware are proving a challenge to some of the more well-informed home computer users as 87 percent of the country claims to understand spyware and its impact, yet almost 50 percent also claim to have fallen victim to it. Advanced forms of Interact security threats can include worms, trojans, adware, system monitors and phishing incidents, and can infiltrate a computer in various shapes and guises. Webroot's survey reveals that, although spam and viruses are well-known and understood, the complexities of new and advanced forms of spyware continue to daunt the home computer user. "This survey highlights the need for the IT security industry to provide the most up-to-date information on spyware to employees, retailers, distributors and customers," said Peter Watkins, CEO, Webroot Software, Inc. "We also have a duty to ensure that the anti-spyware protection that we provide is able to identify and block these new forms of malicious attack. "Additional findings from Webroot's survey include:

* Levels of concern about exposure to spyware are high amongst UK residents. Sixty-two percent claim concerns about the loss of personal information, with identity theft and the worry of stolen credit card or bank account numbers, following closely behind. Fifty percent, however, have been affected by spyware.

* Although 87 percent of respondents know what spyware is, one in eight has no idea what its actual impact on the PC or the user can be.

* More than half of the UK now visit social network sites, and the majority of 18-24 year olds do so on a regular basis and without concern for their online security

* Seventy-two percent of the UK now bank online and 90 percent shop online, exposing themselves to possible fraud and ID theft

* Ninety-nine percent feel some responsibility to protect themselves from external IT threats, but almost half would like to see software suppliers and Internet Service Providers take some responsibility

In their most recent list of top ten threats to the UK, the Webroot Threat Research team has found indications of a "keylogger" becoming the most common. Keyloggers are critical by their nature since they can identify keystrokes in order to collect personal information and are capable of monitoring chat rooms, emails, instant messaging and websites visited plus usernames and passwords entered. Since spyware purveyors are financially motivated, they often rely on keyloggers to steal personal financial data like account numbers and passwords.

When viewed with the relatively new trend of "social networking" online, keylogging can pose a serious threat. According to the Webroot survey, 82 percent of 18-24 year olds surveyed said that they visit social networking sites on a dally, weekly or monthly basis, where spyware is abundant. More than any other age, 92 percent of this age group will open attachments and embedded links in instant messages leaving them vulnerable to malware attacks. With 93 percent of this group shopping online with their credit or debit cards they are dramatically increasing the odds of ID theft, loss of personal data and credit card fraud.

According to the most recent APACS figures, online banking fraud rose by 55 percent in 12 months and costs the UK public 22.5 million [pounds sterling] a year. Because spyware doesn't appear to be suspicious or malicious, it is responsible for the largest percentage of data and ID theft and online banking fraud. Further, the Webroot survey reveals that 48 percent of the heaviest users of the Internet (18-24 year olds) have no understanding of how spyware enables phishing, and wouldn't recognise its forms of attack.

"Online socialising has rapidly become the new way to network and make friends, yet this research reveals that the people most likely to engage in this behaviour are the least informed when it comes to security threats such as spyware," Watkins added. "Just as the Internet's social explosion has revolutionised communication and interaction, so too has it revolutionised criminal activity. Combined with the public's lack of knowledge and continuing popularity of the Internet, there is a 'perfect storm' brewing for cyber criminals."