You know that phrase, "We're only as strong as our weakest link"? In terms of the Internet, the weakest link is the home PC connected to the Internet.

An online survey conducted by Bentley College (the Bentley Survey on Consumers and Internet Security - PDF) found the public exhibits low knowledge about Internet security threats. We recently attended a seminar discussing the survey results and on ways to educate home users on the value of security for home PCs connected to the Internet.

Of the 2,952 U.S. adults surveyed who access the Internet from home:

• 46% say their primary home computer has been infected by a computer virus - but 7% aren't even sure.
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• 90% have installed anti-virus software on their computer -- but only 46% always update the anti-virus software, and 10% rarely or never do.
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• 75.6% of the broadband users surveyed (58% of all users) have installed a firewall on the home computer – but 11% aren’t sure.

When asked about their knowledge of certain types of Internet threats:

• 57% were unaware of security weaknesses in home wireless networks (this includes 40% of people who actually have installed a wireless network!).
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• 51% didn't know about Trojan horses.
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• 49% were unaware of security flaws in Internet browsers.
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• 49% didn't know about security flaws in PC operating systems.
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• 48% didn't know about the ability of hackers to use a home PC to launch attacks on other computers.
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• 44% didn't know a hacker could invade an e-mail account and use it to send spam to other people.
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• 40% hadn't heard of spyware.

If you advise others (friends, co-workers, neighbors) on the installation or maintenance of a home network and/or PC, now is the time to educate them on security. At the very least, you should have the following on your home PC:

• A regularly updated anti-virus application.
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• A firewall (either on a router if the systems are networked or on individual PCs - both is best).
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• In addition, you should train end users to make sure they install security updates for their OS and other software applications when they become available, and tell them to only open e-mail attachments or download materials from the Internet that come from trusted sources.

These steps will help ensure that the chain known as the Internet will become much stronger.