A poll of Internet users shows that a majority are "not confident" that their security software is protecting them, antivirus vendor Trend Micro reported Tuesday.

Fifty-one percent of the 1,500 French, German, Japanese, British, and American consumers surveyed in the fall of 2006 said they had doubts about their security software. Trend Micro pinned part of the problem on vendors who fail to communicate to users such information as where the threat originates and how well the system is protected.

"As a security vendor, it's our job to stay one step ahead of the malware and threats to ensure our customers' protection," said Lane Bess, general manager of Trend Micro's consumer group, in a statement. "It's also our job to regularly communicate with our customers regarding their level of security, in a way that is meaningful to them, so that they know how secure they are."

Most Americans polled by Trend Micro said they thought the Internet was "very safe" (51%), but that number slumped to just 32% when asked if they thought the Web would be less or more safe in six months.

Trend Micro said it would repeat the survey every six months.