Caught in the NET: A Survey of Charlotte Area Residents 40+ About Online Use and Safety

Computers and the Internet have provided Americans with entertainment, efficient ways to do their jobs, manage their lifestyles, communicate, increase their knowledge, and purchase products and services. As is often the case, this great innovation has also provided criminals with opportunities to defraud victims online and/or cause technical damage to users' computers and personal files.

While North Carolina is 21st among all states for the number of identity theft victims statewide, the Federal Trade Commission ranks the Charlotte area 17th in the nation for this particular computer crime. This telephone survey of 500 age 40+ Charlotte area residents explores their online experiences and examines the preventative measures they employ to avoid problems.

Of those surveyed...

• 63 percent own a personal computer (PC) or laptop computer
  
• 67 percent access the Internet
  
• 48 percent access the Internet at least daily and 13 percent at least weekly

Among those accessing the Internet and/or using email...

• 94 percent are concerned to some extent about providing personal information over the Internet
  
• 48 percent have received a phishing email seeking personal information
  
• 80 percent avoid giving out their email addresses and 79 percent don't post them on websites
  
• 91 percent of those who also own a computer say they have installed anti-virus protection software while 79 percent have set up filters or firewalls, and 81 percent have installed anti-spyware software

Surveying was conducted for AARP by Alan Newman Research, Inc. between October 13th and 16th, 2006. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting the report's author, Jennifer H. Sauer, at 202-434-6207. (22 pages)