Pew Research Center

FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 28, 2005

Online Safety

OnGuard Online is a new site for consumers who want to protect their computers from software intrusions.

BY Susannah Fox

FOR MEDIA OR OTHER INQUIRIES:

Communications Department
202.419.4372
www.pewresearch.org

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Pew Research Center, September 2005, "Online Safety"

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Table of contents

  • About Pew Research Center

Online Safety

OnGuard Online is a new site for consumers who want to protect their computers from software intrusions.

There is a new source of information about how consumers can protect their personal information and guard against spyware: OnGuard Online.

It’s a partnership between Internet Education Foundation and the Federal Trade Commission, joining the ongoing efforts of the IEF’s own site: GetNetWise.

Our own research points to the need for such sites – 59 million internet users say they have had spyware or adware on their home computer. Nine out of ten internet users say they have adjusted their online behavior out of fear of falling victim to software intrusions.