Most Americans are aware of the various security risks that exist in cyberspace. But they also overestimate how vulnerable they are to at least some of those risks. This is the essential finding of a new Zogby International study on cyber security commissioned by an organization called the National Cyber Security Alliance. Here are some of the key findings:

SPAM FILTERS

• Perception: 75% said they were using spam filters
• Reality: Only 52% actually had spam filters on their computers

ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE

• Perception: 93% said they were using anti-virus software
• Reality: 95% actually were

ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE

• Perception: 83% said they were using anti-spyware software
• Reality: 82% actually did have anti-spyware software installed on their computer

FIREWALL SOFTWARE

• Perception: 81% said they were using a firewall
• Reality: Only 42% had a firewall installed on their computer

OTHER FINDINGS

• 26% said their computers were "very safe" from viruses
• 21% said they were "very safe" from hacker attacks
• 54% said their computers had been infected by a virus
• Almost 50% admitted to not knowing how to determine if a web site is safe before visiting it
• 51% said they had been a victim of a phishing attempt, with 65% saying they thought the attempt was a legitimate e mail.

SOURCE: National Cyber Security Alliance-Symantec Online Safety Study

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