By Andy McCue, 26 September 2005 14:45
NEWS Lloyds TSB is offering to help protect its online banking customers from viruses and spyware with a free PC security check.
A survey of 1,400 people commissioned by Lloyds TSB found that over half (54 per cent) of PCs and laptops have been infected with a virus, yet five per cent don't even know if they have antivirus protection and 10 per cent admit they don't regularly update their antivirus software.
Reasons for failing to keep antivirus software updated ranged from it being too expensive (13 per cent), to not knowing it was necessary (eight per cent) to "I can't be bothered" (six per cent).
In response to this and to address fears about the threat of viruses Lloyds TSB has teamed up with Zone Labs to offer online banking customers visiting lloydstsb.com a free PC security scan.
Customers can then download the security software on a free 30-day trial basis and buy it with a 20 per cent discount voucher.
Matthew Timms, internet banking director at Lloyds TSB, said in a statement: "Although most people realise the importance of installing anti-virus software and keeping it updated, many don't get around to doing it or buy it and then don't install it. The impact of a computer virus can be extensive and in some cases result in a compromise of PC security."
Comments
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1. jim n
Good plan! But i think the IT industry (and especially the anti-virus industry) sadly significantly overestimate the skill of the average PC user at getting this software to work (and stay working). As a fairly competent PC user it took me 3 days and numerous emails to sort out the upgrade/renewal of my AV software (something beginning with N) and both my mother and mum-in-law (well into their 70s but keen PC users nonetheless) just don't understand the vagaries when auto updates don't update, subscription renewals take payment but then refuse to get applied to the software, and virus alerts seem to get published in some semi-Klingon dialect.. This needs to be made easier, life is too short!!
2. Richard
I'm biased: Sophos AV work fine, updates simply and is a great UK product.