One-Thrd Of Users Fear The Whole Wide Web And Everything On It

New figures from Avira indicate that a healthy fear of the Web is making users more security-conscious if not yet more careful. Now's a good time to reinforce the lesson.Some numbers out from security company Avira recently make a pretty clear point that some tough talk about security on the Web is order.

According to a survey of more than 3,000 found that a third of them were frightened of every page on the Web.

Specifically:

13% felt that browser games (Poker, etc.) are really popular - and that the danger with sites offering such games here is very high 22% felt that users are exposed to dangers especially on websites with pornographic content 27% felt that so-called Warez sites, which offer illegal software, are extremely dangerous 4% were scared of big portals, feeling them particularly vulnerable due to their popularity 34% felt that when it comes to security, all websites are equally dangerous, all over the Internet

This sort of across-the-board fear -- awareness is probably a more accurate description -- offers the perfect opportunity to discuss Web habits with your employees, both in general and in terms of your company's specific usage policies.

Clearly, the concerns about illicit software sites, gaming sites and pornographic sites reflect sound business Web usage policy and should be reinforced. Your employees don't have time to be gaming on your time, and taking the risks that online poker can pose, and over your network, and illegal software and pornography have no place in the workplace. Your policy should reflect all three of these postures.

The fears of Portal sites and the larger fear of the entire Web can likewise be used to reinforce your basic policies: don't trust anything at first glance (and certainly don't click anyth9ng at first glance) is a good core policy that should be discussed and reinforced with your employees.

Of course, the heart of Avira's figures on Web fears is the percentage of respondents not represented. Only two of the answers reflected more than 25% of the survey base -- meaning that there are still plenty of people out there, some of them possibly working for you, who are surfing at will, clicking at whim, heedless of what their actions may do.

And especially what their actions may do to your business.