Internet Security Learning Center

Survey: Women More Likely to Download Spyware

Women are more likely to accidentally download spyware at work and men are more likely than women to engage in personal Web surfing at work, according to the seventh annual Web@Work survey conducted by Websense and Harris Interactive. Harris Interactive surveyed 351 U.S. IT decision makers at organizations with at least 100 employees from March 15 to March 24. They also surveyed 500 U.S. employees ages 18 and up who have Internet access at work and are employed by organizations with at least 100 employees from March 16 and April 4. The survey found that men are more likely to spend more time on the Internet overall, visiting a larger variety of Web sites, which may be malicious. Out of all the IT managers surveyed, 92 percent estimated that their organization has been infected by spyware in the last 12 months, compared to 93 percent the previous year. Out of the employees that have infected their PCs with spyware, 64 percent of women have called their IT department for help while only 30 percent of men have. "[The survey shows] some of the differences between how men and women use the Internet at work," said Websense's Michael Newman. "However, one significant similarity shown in the survey is that both genders can easily be lured in by the Internet for its sheer entertainment value or as a resource to complete personal errands." Dan Hubbard at Websense says the survey results show that employees need to be better educated on security.

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