New Survey Finds Consumers Are Cautious About Being Online But Need More Vigilance When Protecting Privacy

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Online consumers are increasingly savvy about being online, but many still do not employ all of the right tools to protect their privacy according to the results from Anonymizer, Inc.'s, www.anonymizer.com, second annual online privacy and security survey.

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While nearly all respondents took precautions to protect their privacy online (95%), the two most popular methods – running anti-virus software (77%) and enabling a firewall (60%) – do not provide adequate safeguards against online privacy and security risks. These measures only protect a consumer's computer system, not their privacy or identity.

When it comes to social networking, more than half of respondents (56%) are aware that being on Facebook means compromising their privacy. Despite these concerns, 29% had no plans to leave the popular social networking site.

"With celebrity hacking scandals and social media exposures grabbing headlines, it's not surprising that consumers are increasingly aware of the privacy risks that come with our Web-powered world," said Chaminda Wijetilleke, president of Anonymizer, Inc. "During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we want consumers to re-think what they're doing to protect their privacy online and to take proper action."

An infographic highlighting the dangers of not properly protecting your online privacy and safeguarding your data can be found in Anonymizer's Knowledge Center, http://www.anonymizer.com/knowledgecenter/archive/anonymizer-virtual-private-network.

Other survey results include:

• Behind firewalls and anti-virus software, rounding out the list of the top five most popular privacy protection methods are: not storing credit information on e-commerce sites (44%); exercising caution when creating and using passwords (36%), and setting the highest possible security settings on social media sites (28%).
• When asked what makes them most nervous about being online, the top responses were:
  • Having their bank account and credit card information stolen. (31%)
  • Computer viruses. (19%)
  • Having their online personal information hacked and stolen. (17%)
• Consumers are unsure about whether Facebook sells personal and behavioral data to advertisers. The majority of respondents (61%) are unsure; 29% believe their data is sold; and 10% do not believe their data is sold.
• Overall, 66% of survey respondents indicated concern over websites and search engines collecting information as they surf the Internet.
• By age group, concern over whether websites and search engines collect information varied widely. Of those 25 to 40 years of age, more than half (55%) were concerned or very concerned. In the 41 to 60 age group, 68% were concerned or very concerned. Of those over the age of 60, three-fourths (75%) were concerned or very concerned.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Zoomerang on behalf of Anonymizer, Inc. from October 12-14, 2011 among 1,050 adults aged 25 and older.

About Anonymizer

As the global leader in online privacy, anonymity, and identity protection solutions, Anonymizer continues to push the envelope with products that allow consumers and organizations to remain safe, secure, and anonymous each time they go online. The company's proprietary technologies address the needs of home users, businesses and other customers. With a 15-year history of protecting customer online identities, Anonymizer's products have set the standard in Internet privacy, and protected billions of Web searches and personal communications. To learn more, visit us at www.anonymizer.com, follow us on Twitter, @Anonymizer, or like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/anonymizer.

SOURCE Anonymizer, Inc.