Study: Most Americans Have False Sense of Online Security

Verizon Offers All Internet Users Free Online Tool to Help Them Assess Their
Online Security Levels

NEW YORK, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of computer users who
think they are protected against online threats like spyware, viruses and
hackers actually have inadequate or no online protection, according to an
independent research study conducted for Verizon.
Verizon is helping consumers nationwide to assess their online safety by
offering its Verizon Security Advisor service at no charge to customers of any
Internet service provider. This free diagnostic software, available at
www.verizon.net/securityadvisor, can evaluate the virus, spyware or personal
firewall security software on a computer in less than five seconds so users
can take steps to close any dangerous gaps in their online security
protection.
"Internet security protection is like a smoke alarm," said Bill Heilig,
vice president for Verizon broadband services. "As long as it works, it's
great. But with a dead battery, it's worse than no smoke alarm at all, because
it creates a false sense of security. That's the position that most Internet
consumers find themselves in today, and what they don't know is definitely
hurting them. We're offering all Internet users a free tool to help them know
if they are truly protected or if they need to take action to get the security
they need."
Verizon's study, conducted with 545 U.S. Internet subscribers by the
independent Internet research firm iTracks, contrasted participants' opinions
about their level of online security against results of Verizon Security
Advisor scans performed on their computers. While 92 percent of participants
thought they were safe, the scans revealed that 59 percent were actually
vulnerable to a variety of online dangers. Ninety-four percent of those
surveyed said they would find it helpful to be able to diagnose or check their
online security status on a regular basis to make sure their PCs were safe.
The study's comparison between the real risk, as determined by the Verizon
Security Advisor scan, and the participants' perceived risks showed that
people are unknowingly exposing themselves to threats through bad habits such
as relying on expired or old security software.
Today, nearly all new PCs come bundled with off-the-shelf security
software provided as a limited-time trial or pre-paid, one-year subscription.
However, at the end of the trial or full subscription period, buyers usually
must renew the license and pay the vendor to continue the protection. If they
don't, they may no longer receive protection or crucial updates, exposing
themselves to a myriad of online threats that grow daily. Other key
findings of the study include:

-- Spyware Protection: When asked how safe they felt their home PC was
from spyware, 92 percent of respondents felt "safe" or "somewhat safe."
In contrast, the Verizon Security Advisor scan revealed that the
majority (58 percent) were "at risk" or "potential risk" from spyware
infection. Nineteen percent were critically "at risk" from spyware
infection.
-- Virus Protection: When asked how safe they felt their home PC was from
viruses, 92 percent of respondents felt "very safe" or "somewhat safe,"
whereas the Verizon Security Advisor scan revealed that 45 percent were
"at risk" or "potential risk" from virus infection.
-- Firewall Protection: Nineteen percent of respondents had their
personal firewall turned off.

In addition to its free Verizon Security Advisor service, Verizon also
offers a comprehensive Internet security suite through the Verizon portal at
www.verizon.net/onlinesecurity. Designed to run behind the scenes whenever
the computer is on, Verizon Internet Security Suite automatically ensures that
customers are protected against the newest threats with the latest detection
methods.
Verizon Security Advisor is provided by Radialpoint, a leading provider of
managed Internet security services.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a
leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication
innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
63.7 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include
Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to
customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the
benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services
over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company,
Verizon has a diverse workforce of nearly 238,000 and last year generated
consolidated operating revenues of more than $88 billion. For more
information, visit www.verizon.com.
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SOURCE Verizon

Cliff Lee, Verizon, +1-518-396-1095, clifford.p.lee@verizon.com