Online skills and IT security 'balance needed'

2009-11-17

Internet take-up and online knowledge must be balanced with computer-users’ understanding of security and IT intrusion, it has been claimed.

According to Robin Blake, head of media literacy at Ofcom, a concerted effort is required to help people change their behaviour to become more skilled and confident when using the internet.

He added: "As people go online we need to balance the take-up with the knowledge and skills and the understanding so that they don't [have problems]."

Mr Blake went on to say that internet users are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to protecting their information on social networking websites and that given the right amount of information and support, their online behaviour can improve.

Earlier this week, the Get Safe Online Report 2009 suggested that internet use is becoming an increasing part of everyday life, with 70 per cent of people now making purchases online, compared with 61 per cent in 2007.

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