Australians need more protection online: ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has said that Australian internet users "need to be more pro-active in protecting themselves online" in a report released today.

The report, entitled Australia in the Digital Economy: Trust and Confidence, outlines the results of a national survey of "consumer attitudes and behaviour relating to online security".

"The report clearly shows that Australians see the internet as having a positive effect on their lives," said ACMA chairman Chris Chapman. "However, internet users are either not taking or only taking limited measures to ensure their online security."

Chapman said that the report suggests that this lack of action can be linked to a high reliance by internet users on informal methods of training and acquiring knowledge about the internet. This may also impact on users' awareness of available technical measures to protect their computers from online risks.

"While more than 80 per cent of Australian internet users consider themselves to have average or above average internet skills, these survey results highlight the need for more formal and continuing education for online users," Chapman said.

"Such education could also raise awareness of e-security and address knowledge gaps about the appropriate measures that can be implemented to mitigate online risks.'