Lloyds TSB’s internet banking arm is urging Britons to
step up their PC security after research revealed that over half
(54%) of PCs and laptops have been infected with a computer
virus.
In a survey of 1,400 people, conducted on behalf of the bank by
Tickbox.net, 75% of PC owners admitted they were worried about the
threat of viruses.
The survey found that 10% of computer owners had never updated
their anti-virus software, and 25% of respondents said they had
only updated “once or twice”.
A further 5% didn’t know whether or not they had updated their
software and 1% confessed they didn't have anti-virus software
installed at all.
Matthew Timms, Lloyds TSB internet banking director, said,
"While we are doing everything we can to make our security
watertight, we are also urging all of our customers to think
carefully about the measures they have taken to protect their PC.
This means regularly updating their anti-virus software and
ensuring they have a robust firewall."
The main reasons given by respondents for rarely updating their
anti-virus software included cost (13%), “I didn't know that it was
necessary” (8%), “I didn't know anything about it” (6%), “I can't
be bothered” (6%), “I don't know what to buy” (3%), and “It's too
difficult to install” (3%).
The survey also found that 40% of users had not downloaded any
security patches to fix security holes in Windows and other
programs.