TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

It had to happen sooner or later. According to a recent study conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, web users are changing their browsing habits considerably after past experiences involving malware. Users are now more aware of viruses and spyware circulating on the net and are being more careful about the sites they visit and e-mails they open.

The survey found that 81 percent of Internet users say they no longer open e-mail attachments unless they know the contents are safe. Nearly half, 48 percent, said they have stopped visiting certain Web sites to avoid unwanted programs downloading onto their computers.
The study consisted of telephone interviews conducted to 1,336 Internet users. About three-quarters of them said they had a good idea of what spyware is, while some 43 percent said they have had at least one of these programs (spyware, adware) on their computers.