UK computer users are more reckless in their computer
behaviour at work than those in other countries, according to a
survey compiled on behalf of IT security specialist Trend
Micro.
The company believes such attitudes are more prevalent at SMBs
that typically do not have the constant presence of an IT
department.
The study has shown that UK users are more careless in their
behaviour when using an employer’s machine. Over half of the
respondents (53%) say they rely on IT departments to rescue them
when incidents happen. When asked why they were more carefree with
their online behaviour at work than at home, 45% stated that they
are not as worried because it’s not their computer equipment.
Pat Dunne, sales director Northern Europe for Trend Micro, says,
"Despite all the warnings, people still make avoidable mistakes and
needlessly expose their PCs to computer nasties that ultimately
cause critical computers to fail. The solution is rethinking how
companies warn employees about IT threats, and adopting more
automated defence systems that entirely bypass employees who may be
the weak link."
Trend Micro has compiled a list of the most avoidable support
calls. One classic example it cites is Naked Anna, when hundreds of
callers re-infected their machines continually with a virus, as
they repeatedly tried to view an infected picture of Anna
Kournikova received via e-mail.