The report, "Caught in the Net: A Survey of Philadelphia Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety," also found that about three-quarters (73 percent) of Philadelphia-area Internet users are unaware that when a Web site has a privacy policy, it does not prevent them from sharing customers' personal information with others.
According to computer security experts, the average computer connected to the Internet is attacked approximately 300 times per hour by spyware, viruses and unwanted software. Nearly all of Philadelphia-area Internet users (88 percent) report they have received spam and almost a quarter (24 percent) have opened e-mail attachments from someone they didn't know.
"The power of the Internet puts information, resources and the world just a mouse click away," said Mary Bach, AARP Consumer Issues Task Force chair. "However, many Philadelphia-area Internet users are rightly concerned about the misuse of their personal information online. AARP is proud to be part of the Get Net Safe tour, which seeks to raise awareness among PC users of the threats that exist, and more importantly, to empower them to protect themselves."
The tour combines the resources of 11 national organizations to host a series of seminars, luncheons, and school assemblies throughout the greater Philadelphia area to heighten awareness and provide people the tools and information to use the Internet safely. Participating organizations are Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Geek Squad 24 Hour Computer Support Task Force, GetNetWise, i-SAFE Inc., Microsoft Corp., the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Trade Commission's OnGuard Online, and the Department of Commerce.
