IT security specialist Avira has looked back over ten years and surveyed the role of computer virus protection in 1999, the year when such attacks began to rise sharply.

And it discovered that, having surveyed 5,543 international web surfers to find out how they dealt with the issue of IT security ten years ago, they discovered that only one third had protection installed.

Indeed, the majority of those surveyed – 32% (1,780 users) – didn’t actually own a PC back then. Some 22% of PC owners (1,228 users) had at least basic no-frills protection against viruses on their machines and a further 19% (1,050 users) took a more serious view of the problem and never allowed their computers to operate without the protection of a good antivirus program.

More data showed that 12% (653 users) had absolutely no protection on their computer at the time. And as Avira point, in 1999 malware was not designed to remain undetected for long periods, but instead laid computers low in a matter of minutes. This meant that attacks didn’t go unnoticed for long and according to the survey, 11% (602 users) learned from such an attack, and get protection after the first incident, maintaining it ever since.

Although, somewhat worrying for not only the computer security companies, but also worldwide computer users, is the fact that 4% (230 users) still take a devil-may-care attitude and fail to see the need to protect their PCs against damage. Indeed, this some would say reckless group has managed without virus scanners until now. However, as Avira highlights, today’s malware works so well ‘under cover’ that infected computers often go undiagnosed without the help of virus protection.

This means that many computer users, determined not to use computer security software, might think that there computer is ‘clean’, whereas in reality it could be infected with all manner of bugs and nasties, with the viruses biding their time to attack.

Avira, based in Germany, is a leading global provider of IT security solutions for professional and private use. It boasts domestic and international customers which include well-known companies listed on global stock exchanges, educational establishments and government authorities. And as well as protecting the virtual environment, Avira promotes the Auerbach Foundation for greater protection and security in the real world.

Guest Article by Neil Camp