A Quarter of European Internet Users Admit to Being Insatiable Surfers

According to independent research conducted by Dynamic Markets and commissioned by Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN), the worldís leading provider of employee internet management software, a clear set of web user personalities has emerged. Of the 500 European work laptop users surveyed, a quarter are amongst the new generation of internet addicts, or ìinsatiable surfers,î and use this valuable resource for both business and pleasure in equal measure. Of those, 16 percent admit to being ìdownload DJsîí and love to surf for music, games or other free downloadsóthe majority of which is not work-related.

The survey revealed different surfing variations across Europe. For example, the Netherlands has the highest levels of insatiable surfers (31 percent). UK users are the biggest culprits of using their work laptops for downloading music, films, software and games as well as visiting peer-to-peer, adult content and hacking websites. France and Germany have the highest proportion of ìsystematic cyber seekersîóthose who utilise the internet for work and personal banking. Some of the lightest internet usersóìdigital dabblersîóreside in Italy (41 percent). These digital dabblers enter the information super highway just to assist in their daily tasks.

In Europe, only 55 percent of respondents reported that their companies protected and managed the use of the internet. With the web becoming a playground for hackers and other malicious activities, innocent surfers are lured onto websites that contain malicious programmes such as phishing scams, spyware and Trojan horses. Furthermore, 18 percent report they use personal e-banking and may be putting personal data at riskóand worryingly 15 percent discovered software on their laptops that they had not deliberately downloaded.

ìUsers are becoming increasingly reliant on the internet to perform their daily work tasks, and companies have a responsibility to ensure their employees are able to surf in a safe and secure environment,î commented Geoff Haggart, vice president Europe, Middle East and Africa, for Websense, Inc. ìThe problem comes when all the dabbling, seeking and surfingóalbeit seemingly innocentóleads to the security of the company and personal data being compromised by spyware, viruses and malicious code. With the right measures in place, companies can ensure they manage the amount of time users are spending on non work-related surfing, as well as protect and enable secure and managed access.î

New online trends such as MP3 downloading, blogging and internet gambling have all increased the appeal of the internet, whether it is accessed at home or work. The challenge for businesses is managing their employeesí desire to use the internet with productivity, while preventing viruses, mobile malicious code and spyware dangers from attacking the corporate network.

The survey of 500 European users of the internet at work identified the following European user groups:

-Insatiable SurfersóOne in four European internet users are proud of their internet expertise and surf for work and pleasure in equal measure. These real enthusiasts come from across Europe and from different levels of seniority. Sixteen percent of these admit to being addicted to free downloads, which are coined download DJís.

-Systematic Cyber SeekersóAlmost half of users (44 percent) see the internet as a systematic tool that they use to find information. Systematic cyber seekers are more likely to hold management positions.

-Digital DabblersóJust under a third (31 percent) of European users dabble on the internet, finding it useful on occasions. These digital dabblers are more likely to be senior staff. For example, 39 percent of directors claimed to be light internet users.

To obtain a copy of the full report, the European Laptop Liabilities Survey, please contact Octopus Communications on 44 (0) 1753 672 755.