Internet users prepared to pay ISPs for better spam protection
Internet users are prepared to pay extra to their ISPs in return for protection against spam and 'malicious Web content', according to a new survey. MORI found that the majority of Web users look to their ISPs to block spam, viruses and obscene websites for which 45 per cent are prepared to pay as much as £2 extra per month. Twenty-nine per cent believe the problem is so bad that they would pay an additional £5. The survey, carried out on behalf of Web content security firm Detica, also found that two-thirds of Internet users would switch ISPs in order to get protection. Simon Gawne, director of Content Security at Detica, said: 'It is surprising, based on the levels of investment going into Internet services in the UK and the highly competitive nature of the market, that ISPs are not fully addressing the security fears of their subscribers.' However, Peter Tuomey, sales and marketing director for Virgin.net, said that Virgin has, 'no overwhelming evidence that customers are churning [switching ISPs] simply because of a lack or strength of anti-virus or anti-spam capability'. Nor has it found that customers are prepared to pay. He added that in fact it is no longer sufficient for ISPs to provide email and then let the customer get on with it; protective measures, he said, are 'becoming almost a given, just providing basic email isn't enough'. Virgin is currently testing a new mail system to this effect.
Reproduced from an article published by PC Pro
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