Businesses are under pressure to improve data protection processes after a survey found consumers think that not enough is done to protect their information online.
The survey, undertaken by internet networking infrastructure company Verisgn, found that 65% of British online users log on to internet banking accounts or other sites where they share personal information at least once a week.
However, when asked if institutions such as the government and financial services were doing enough to safeguard a user’s personal information online, 57% of the UK population replied with a resounding ‘no’.
The research also revealed that UK internet users are putting up to £361 billion at risk by sharing personal data on websites that are either not secure or poorly protected.
Yet, consumers continue to have a somewhat lacklustre approach to personal information security and many regularly give information that could prove highly valuable to cyber criminals.
The research showed three quarters of UK respondents have disclosed their date of birth online, 70% have given their home address and 68% disclosed their mother’s maiden name.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008
