A call-to-arms sounded by a variety of technology sites and more recently by mainstream media, about the potential security implications of using online services, seem as if they are finally being heeded. Ofcom, the communications regulator, recently released a “UK Adults’ Media Literacy” report containing some interesting information regarding attitudes to using personal information online.
The Figures
Perhaps the biggest headline figure is that 80% of British adults that use social networking sites are now more likely to restrict their profile to friends and family. This is a jump from a figure of 48% in 2007.
Less encouraging is the news that around 25% of net users don’t have the confidence to install filtering software and security features. Hopefully this will be a wakeup call for some security software manufacturers. There seems to be a market out there for simplified security software for less technically adept users.
I’m afraid that Scottish internet users seem most likely to treat personal information brazenly with 50% of users happy to enter their home address online. This is over double the 23% for people in Wales and Northern Island.
Hopefully, with some luck, this will bring in a new dawn of computer security for the masses. And with a following wind this new attitude might just attract the attention of TV, radio and other traditional media sources. I honestly believe that with computers becoming a larger part of peoples everyday lives, coverage of security issues and best practices are essential to keeping people, and their data, safe online.
More information can be found on Ofcom’s site, the actual PDF of the report is also available.
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