Dell today launched a PC security awareness site to help its consumer customers better protect their computers from spyware, viruses and other online security threats.
A record number of customers contacting Dell with computer performance issues caused by spyware and viruses shows how pervasive the problem is among home technology users, said Mike George, vice president and general manager of Dell’s U.S. Consumer business.
“Spyware is the root cause of many of the performance problems our customers face,” George said. “More consumers are using broadband and wireless Internet access in their homes. These are tremendous tools, but they also expose us to malicious software that attaches to our PCs as we browse the Internet.”
Symptoms of spyware, which monitors activity and gathers personal information from a computer, include slow PC performance, a hijacked homepage, excessive spam or pop-up ads, inability to connect to the Internet or potential crashes. Up to 20 percent of the calls received by Dell’s consumer desktop technical support team are for spyware and virus-related issues, far surpassing any other performance issue, George said. And according to one study, more than 90 percent of home computers have some type of spyware on them1.
“The great news is there are steps – some of them as simple as using firewalls and anti-virus and spyware protection products – that anyone can take to significantly reduce the chances their PCs will be affected,” George said.
Dell has created a new PC Security website to provide customers “how-to” information on identifying spyware, virus and other threats to their computers; tips for protecting their PC; information and promotions on firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware products; and links to partner websites.
“What consumers want is to stop worrying about the safety of their PCs so they can start using them to the fullest,” said Matthew Moynahan, vice president, Consumer Products and Solutions, for Symantec. “It is critical for companies like Dell and Symantec to come together to give consumers easy-to-use, integrated security solutions, and that is what Symantec’s Norton Internet Security provides to Dell customers.”
Dell will also be working with the Internet Education Foundation (IEF), a consumer education organization that runs GetNetWise, to develop a robust, industry-wide spyware resource.
