NET USE IN US UP, USERS’ TRUST DOWN
by Sreeram
Computer and
internet use is up ,but so are concerns about identify
theft and other online dangers.
Fifty-five percent of US households had access to the
internet at home in 2003,more than triple the percentage in 1997,according to a report by the Census Bureau. Internet usage increased with education ,income and the presence of
school-age children at home, the report found. It was lowest among adults who did not graduate from high school.
School-age children are most likely to use home computers to play games or do school work. Adults are most likely to use home computers for e-mail ,to search for information about products and services ,and to read news ,weather and sports information. The report is based on data from the bureau’s October 2003 Current Population Survey, the country’s primary source of labor statistics. It is the bureau’s latest information on computer and internet use, though it is two years old and experts say computer habits are quickly evolving.
We actually think the (internet)penetration in households is higher said Greg Stuart, president and CEO of the Internet Advertising Bu7reau,which helps online companies increases revenue.
A report this year by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that 68% of adults use the internet, up from 63% last year .It found that 22% of American adults have never used the internet.
Susannah Fox, who worked on the Pew report, said age and education were the strongest predictors of whether someone uses the internet. Young adults were the most likely to use the Internet, with a big drop-off among people 70 and older .But even as internet access increases, computer users are being more careful about sharing personal information online.
A Survey released this week by Consumer Reports Web watch found that 86% of computer users have changed their online behavior in some way because of concerns about identity theft. A little more than half stopped giving out personal information on the web ,while 25% said they stopped making online purchases. The consumers are becoming more educated said Clint Kreitner, president and CEO of the Center for internet Security. At the same time, the nature of the criminal activity on the internet is increasing.
Putting your credit card number on an encrypted site is much safer than giving it to a waiter and letting it out of your sight.Kreitner said.
‘Sreeram’ is the pen name of the above abstract writer. His name in the professional field is V.Sree Rama Rao, B.E. ( Mech ), MIMA, M.I.E. is a Techno- commercial business consultant based at Mumbai the financial capital of India. He can be contacted on
e-mail : vsramarao1@rediffmail.com