MUSCAT — You are under attack and you don’t even know it can’t get more perilous than that, can it?.

Do you know that somebody somewhere is watching you closely over the Internet and could destroy you by stealing all you have in your personal computer.

In fact all AGCC countries are under a serious web attack as Internet threat levels in the region are reaching alarming proportions.

According to a new study by a leading security software and services company, as many as 70 per cent of the Middle East users are under attack on a daily basis.

Trend Micro Incorporated has conducted a survey of AGCC-based organisations and individuals and released it on Monday.

The study revealed that in the past three months alone, 80 per cent of users were affected by spam, 31 per cent were affected by viruses, and 23 per cent were affected by viruses and Trojans. Startlingly, 25 per cent were unaware of the threats impacting the region.

Out of the 500 AGCC respondents surveyed, 81 per cent checked personal e-mails at work and 54 per cent checked their personal financial data online.

The survey also shows that 87 per cent of IT departments rely on basic protection.

“To operate in an internet era is not without peril; the threats are real and can be financially damaging,” said Raimund Genes, chief technology officer, Trend Micro. “Our survey reveals that organisations and individuals are not taking the threat level seriously and that needs to change quickly.”

“Globally, businesses and individuals are plagued by identity threats and loss of personal and corporate information. The Middle East is not immune to attacks.”

Web threats are deployed to a PC without the user’s implicit knowledge and permission, and, with 72 per cent of employees browsing websites not directly related to work, the chances of downloading malicious software are highly increased.

Unprotected hot spots are particularly dangerous, and the study shows that 73 per cent of employees use laptops outside of work, increasing the chances of infection.

“Alarming levels of internet threats are affecting the AGCC. Having the right tools for a secure web world is crucial, and with 82 per cent of users relying only on software for protection, more needs to be done to educate users,” added Genes.