F-Secure Reveals Consumer Attitudes Toward Internet Security Across Europe and North America

Business Wire, Feb 28, 2008

First "Online Wellbeing Survey" Shows Consumers Have Misplaced Confidence in Their Antivirus Updates

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- F-Secure, the global leader in providing security as a service through mobile operators and Internet Service Providers, today announced the results of its first annual Online Wellbeing Survey. This third-party survey of Internet users aged 20-40 in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Germany, tested respondents' knowledge of online security issues (their 'security IQ') and gauged their confidence in the safety of basic online activities. The results revealed that while most respondents have security software installed on their PCs, many remain unsure that their email is free of malware and other threats. The survey also showed that few consumers realize how frequently their security software's antivirus definitions need updating, and most respondents revealed a misplaced confidence that their definitions were up-to-date.

The survey showed that Internet users in North America and Europe had a basic understanding of online security issues, but still don't have confidence in the security of basic online activities. While the results revealed similar levels of security knowledge and online confidence across those surveyed, German consumers showed markedly less confidence in the security of e-commerce and online banking than respondents in other markets. German respondents also revealed a significantly better understanding of how frequently anti-virus definitions need to be updated.

F-Secure's findings included the following:

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"It's concerning to see that so many consumers believe their antivirus definitions are up to date while not understanding how frequently they need to be updated; this really shows why it's essential for consumers to make sure they acquire their security from a reliable source and make sure it includes professional service as well," said Mikko Hypponen, Chief Research Officer at F-Secure. "Email security certainly isn't a new issue. Email remains one of the most popular ways to spread malware, and users understandably remain concerned that attachments may infect their computers. While malware is still being spread via email attachments, we've also seen an increase in the use of other techniques, like 'drive-by-downloads', and it's important that consumers be aware that email attachments aren't the only way malware is spread. Security software should empower users to take full advantage of the Internet and their email without worrying about vulnerabilities or security risks - it should provide true online wellbeing."

The survey was carried out by a third party in January 2008 across 1,169 Internet users aged 20-40 across the US (225 respondents), Canada (228 respondents), the UK (227 respondents), France (256 respondents) and Germany (224 respondents). F-Secure asked respondents a series of basic online security questions and, using a Likert scale, asked them to rate the extent to which they were confident in the security of given online activities.

About F-Secure Corporation

F-Secure Corporation protects consumers and businesses against computer viruses and other threats from the Internet and mobile networks. F-Secure's award-winning solutions are available as a service subscription through more than 160 Internet service provider and mobile operator partners around the world, making F-Secure the global leader in this market. The solutions are also available as licensed products through thousands of resellers globally. The company aspires to be the most reliable security provider, helping make computer and smartphone users' connected lives safe and easy. This is substantiated by the company's independently proven ability to respond faster to new threats than its main competitors. Founded in 1988, and headquartered in Finland, F-Secure has been listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki since 1999. The company has consistently been one of the fastest growing publicly listed companies in the industry. The latest news on real-time virus threat scenarios is available at the F-Secure Data Security Lab weblog at http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/.>

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