Computer Service 4U, Inc. Ochlocknee, GA.

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Computer Service 4U,Inc.
173 Pine Forest Rd. Ochlocknee, Ga.31773
229-377-1571
Email: service@cs4utech.com

Firewall Study

Joint AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study Finds that Computer Users Think They're Safer Than They Are

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a not-for-profit, public-private partnership focused on driving awareness and promoting education of cyber security, and NCSA member America Online, Inc., released the results of one of the largest and most comprehensive in-home studies conducted on the security of computer users.

The AOL/NCSA Online Safety Study -- conducted by technical experts in the homes of 329 typical dial-up and broadband computer users -- found that most computer users think they are safe but lack basic protections against viruses, spyware, hackers, and other online threats. In addition, large majorities of home computer users have been infected with viruses and spyware, and remain highly vulnerable to future infections. Yet at the same time, most keep sensitive personal and financial information on their computers.

Among the key findings:

The large majority of users falsely believe they are safe from online threats:
· More than three quarters (77 percent) said they think their computer is very or somewhat safe from online threats.
· Almost the same percent (73 percent) said they think their computer is very or somewhat safe from viruses.
· Three in five (60 percent) said they feel very or somewhat safe from hackers.

Most computer users do not have updated anti-virus protection on their computers, and either have been or are currently infected by viruses:
· Two-thirds of users (67 percent) do not have current anti-virus software.
· One in seven users (15 percent) have no anti-virus software at all on their computer.
· Almost two-thirds of respondents (63 percent) said they have been the victim of a virus infection.
· One in five users (19 percent) have at least one virus infection currently on their home computer.

Spyware and adware infections were endemic but almost completely unknown to users:
· Four in five users (80 percent) have spyware or adware programs on their computer.
· The average infected user has 93 spyware/adware components on their computer.
· An overwhelming majority of users (89 percent) who were infected with spyware/adware said they didn't know the programs were on their computer.
· Nine in ten infected users (90 percent) said they don't know what the programs are or do.
· Almost all of the infected users (95 percent) said they never gave permission for the programs to be installed.

Most computer users don't have adequate protection against hackers:
· Two-thirds of all computer users (67 percent) do not have any firewall protection- half of those with a broadband connection lack a firewall.
· Almost three-quarters (72 percent) do not have a secure firewall (with no open ports).
· Almost two in five wireless network users (38 percent) leave their connection completely open (without any WEP or WPA-PSK encryption).

Despite this confusion and lack of cyber-protections, online users are increasingly moving sensitive information and activities online:
· The vast majority of respondents (84 percent) said they keep sensitive information like health or financial records on their home computer.
· Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) said they use their home computer for sensitive online transactions like banking or reviewing personal medical information.

Despite the importance of protecting children online, most parents do not use parental controls software:
· More than four out of five users with children (83 percent) do not use parental controls software.

Although the overwhelming majority of users are infected, most users don't recognize the symptoms of spyware/adware:
· Nearly two-thirds of users with a pop-up blocker (63 percent) said they get pop-ups anyway.
· Two in five users (43 percent) said their home page has been changed without their permission.
· Almost the same number (40 percent) said their search results are being redirected or changed.
· Users with spyware/adware said they get twice as many pop-ups on average each week as users without spyware/adware (31 vs. 15).

Firewall Study

What Our Customers Are Saying;