Consumer brief

YONKERS, N.Y. (8/30/07)--Americans lost billions of dollars to online threats in the past two years, according to Consumer Reports' "State of the Net" survey, and much of that loss could have been prevented. The survey revealed that 33% of respondents don't use software to block or remove spyware, 3.7 million U.S. households with broadband don't have a firewall for protection, and 8% admit to handing over personal information in conventional phishing e-mails over the past two years. The best advice: Invest in good security software, stay up to date on new threats and viruses, and never open suspicious e-mails. Check software ratings at http://www.download.com (Consumer Reports Sept. 2007) ...