Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group (MAAWG) released a new study earlier this week that case some indicators to consumer behaviour and knowledge on email that could be crucial to marketers trying to reach their targeted audiences. One of the data points that came from the new data showed that 80% of users doubted their computers were at risk of ever being infected with a “bot,” which is a covertly planted virus capable of sending spam or causing other damage without the owner’s knowledge. MAAWG commissioned the study, “A Look at Consumers’ Awareness of Email Security and Practices” where 800 interviews with computer users across the Canada and the United States indicates a lack of awareness among consumer and their understanding of bots and how to remove them and viruses from infected computer systems.
“Spamming has morphed from an isolated hacker playing with some code into a well-developed underground economy that feeds off reputable users’ machines to avoid detection. Consumers shouldn’t be afraid to use email, but they need to be computer smart and learn how to avoid these problems,” said MAAWG Chair Michael O’Reirdan.
Two-Thirds of consumers are effected by anti-virus
While a majority of those survey indicated they consider themselves “very”or “somewhat” knowledgeable in Internet security, 21% take no action to prevent abusive messages from entering their inbox. As spam and other security problems start to rise it is no surprise that a growing number of consumers have started to opt out of email marketing newsletters or campaigns. As a marketer trying to reach your audience there is a larger onus on the “sender” to help education consumers on how to best deal with these issues and ensure you remain a “trusted brand.”
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