Most U.S. Residents Not Safeguarding Against Identity Theft; Confusion Over Cost, Time and...

MELBOURNE, Fla. -- The URL in the seventh paragraph, fifth sentence should be: http://www.authentec.com/docs/atsurvey_060926.pdf (sted http://www.authentec.com/docs/CTIA2006SurveyResults_32406.pdf).

The corrected release reads:

MOST U.S. RESIDENTS NOT SAFEGUARDING AGAINST IDENTITY

Despite recent high profile identity thefts, a majority of U.S. residents have not implemented safeguards to protect their identities - with most citing confusion about the cost, time involved, and available solutions as the primary reasons, according to a survey released today.

An independent survey of more than 2,000 U.S. residents, sponsored by the leading biometric fingerprint supplier, AuthenTec, shows that 73 percent are concerned about identity theft. 51 percent of respondents also say they feel they are equally at risk at work and at home of having their identities stolen.

In addition, most residents - 54 percent -- acknowledge that they are responsible for taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk of identity theft, as opposed to government, financial institutions or internet service providers.

However, when asked if they had taken the proper steps to safeguard their identities, the same percentages - 54 percent - admit that they had not taken the necessary precautions to stop identity theft from happening to them. When asked what prevented them from taking stronger protection measures, the respondents say:

    --  27% don't understand what is available

    --  24% believe it's too expensive

    --  11% believe it's too time consuming

    --  6% believe it's too complicated

The lack of protection comes despite a recent spate of high-profile identity theft breaches. For example, the theft of an official's PC and external hard drive belonging to the Department of Veteran's Affairs put the personal information of 26 million U.S. veterans into the hands of thieves. According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 91,000,000 records containing personal information have been involved in security breaches including lost backup tapes, stolen laptops and attacks by computer hackers, since February 15, 2005

"Despite the billions of dollars invested in many different solutions, identity theft continues to threaten government agencies, businesses and individuals," said Tom Aebli, director of PC marketing for AuthenTec. "The 2006 Identity Theft Survey reaffirms the need for low cost, convenient security solutions that are less confusing for users. We hope that these survey findings, combined with other industry research, will help foster the introduction of new real-world solutions that protect consumers, businesses and government agencies from the risk of identity theft in the future," he added.

About the Survey

The 2006 Identity Theft Survey is one in a series of research initiatives conducted by AuthenTec to provide its customers and the industry at large with the latest information about consumer, business and government security trends. The survey, conducted in August by independent online service Zoomerang, sampled 2,031 U.S. adults between the ages of 18-50. The survey has a margin of error of +/-2 percent. Copies of the survey results are available by contacting Jim Burke at jim.burke@authentec.com. To download a copy of the survey results click here (http://www.authentec.com/docs/atsurvey_060926.pdf).

About AuthenTec

With more than 10 million sensors in use worldwide, AuthenTec is the world leader in fingerprint sensor security, innovation and sales to the PC, wireless, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning FingerLoc([R]) and EntrePad([R]) sensors take full advantage of "The Power of Touch" by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint([R]) technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication. The company's network of partners, solution providers and customers include: Analog Devices, APC, ASUSTek, Compal, Cherry, Fujitsu Computer, Computer Associates, HP, IBM, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Motion Computing, MPC Computers, NEC Packard Bell, Pantech, Quanta, Samsung, Tatung, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, and Wistron, among others. Visit www.authentec.com