One In Three Users Are Victims of Viruses, Spyware, or Phishers

The odds of becoming a victim of viruses, spyware, or phishing are about one in three, Consumer Reports said Tuesday in its annual report on the Internet.

In addition, U.S. consumers spent at least $7.8 billion over the last two years for computer repairs, parts and replacements, because of malware attacks, the non-profit magazine found in its 2006 State of the Net report.

The odds of becoming a cyber-victim were the same as last year, an indication that efforts to combat cyber-crooks were having some impact, Consumer Reports said. Declines were recorded in virus and spyware infections since 2005, but both remained epidemics.

The spring survey of 2,000 U.S. households with Internet access also found 20 percent without antivirus software and 35 percent without spyware blockers installed in computers.