Survey Shows Fears of Online Risk
A survey commissioned by Wells Fargo found that Internet users really aren't clear on where the real risks in Web use lie. For example, it found that people are hesitant to check account balances or use online bill payment because they fear the risks. But the risks of identity theft are actually 10 percent less for people who use either of those services, the survey reported.
The survey queried both consumers and experts in the Internet industry, then compared their answers.
Less than half of consumers surveyed considered checking account balances online as a "very low risk," compared to 81 percent of experts who say the risk is very low. Only 41 percent of consumers felt bill paying was a "very low risk" compared to 70 percent of experts.
At the same time, only 22 percent of the people polled considered providing personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited e-mail "very high risk," and 34 percent believed entering personal information into a pop-up ad "very high risk." This is compared to 76 percent of Internet experts who categorize those risks as very high.
The results varied by age with younger people generally less cautious and older people more concerned. Less than a quarter of users under age 34 think that opening an email attachment is a "high" or "very high" risk. That compared to almost half of Internet experts.
The survey was conducted as part of Wells Fargo & Company's "BE-SAFE Online" public education campaign.
Copyright © 2004 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 14, No. 8, 10/04
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