The survey was based on responses from around 90,000 PC users worldwide and explored individuals' computer security settings and behaviours with known computer security risks.
The results show that 31% of respondents using Instant Messaging (IM) software have accepted and downloaded a file transfer within the last six months, with 16% of those users claiming the file transfer came from an unknown source.
Of the 72% of users who use e-mail at work, 38% stated that they use an alternate web-based e-mail account for personal reasons at work which could open a security hole for the employer. In addition, 14% of the respondents said they open all attachments they receive at work regardless of the sender.
The majority of the surveyed PC users expressed no interest in changing their on-line activity or security practices after knowing the danger of recent threats, such as CodeRed, Sircam, Magistr, Hybris, and Loveletter.
41% of respondents claimed to have anti-virus software installed. Of those, only 26% update their anti-virus software for the newest virus threats at least monthly.