Canadians not as concerned about online security, study finds
By Mario Cywinski | November 24, 2009
More than one in three Canadians are very concerned with online security, down 13 per cent since 2003, according to a new study.
In turn, four in five Canadians are at least somewhat concerned with online security, found an Ipsos Reid study.
"A shift in attitudes has occurred in the last six years with respect to online security. As more Canadians bank online, pay bills and purchase products and services online users clearly see the Internet as being more secure," study author, Mark Laver said. "As such, their corresponding level of concern has declined."
Older Canadians (35 and over) are more like to be concerned with security (82 per cent) than younger (18 to 34) are at 72 per cent. In addition, Ontario is the least concerned at 76 per cent.
Ipsos Reid also found that the level of concern decreases as one's income increases.
"These findings also reflect changes in societal norms," Laver said. "Many people can find information about themselves online by using search engines, or because they have created profiles at popular social networking sites. Online Canadians may be becoming used to the fact that there is all this information about them online."
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