According to a survey by CA Inc., less than half of parents monitor their children’s online behavior to protect them against risk. The survey also showed that older people tend to be less worried about computer security and the risk of downloading unknown files than younger people. According to the survey, people over 60 are half as likely as respondents between the ages of 30 and 39 to worry about web surfing in public places. Only a third of those betwen 50 and 59 were worried about the security of downloads.

As we all know, downloads that are found on Web sites or come in via email pose a great risk. It’s all too common to receive an email with an attachment that is made to look attractive, only to find that the attachment unleashes a virus or spyware; or worse yet, a hidden Trojan that brings your computer into a botnet without your knowledge. Sure, if you’re reading this, you probably know better than to click on the link in your email that tells you “somebody” sent you an e-card, or that you will “get a big laugh” out of some attached file. But do your kids know better? Do your elderly parents know about the risks? There’s still more education to be done.

The survey also shows that 87 percent of teens use social networks. This in itself isn’t dangerous–but the survey also shows that 32 percent of those teens disclose their email addresses, 38 percent show their education information, and 19 percent display their full names. Worst case, this could open a door for predators; but the risks go beyond that. Email addresses that are posted publicly in social networking sites are regularly harvested by spammers, phishers and other online nuisances. And this means that the door could be opened up to an email box full of spam–and going back to my previous point, it could open the door to attractive-looking but malicious attachments being downloaded and damaging the computer.