In its continuing study of the phishing phenomenon, the practice of luring unsuspecting Internet users to provide sensitive or confidential data in response to an email sent by a fraudulent sender or spoofed Web site, the Ponemon Institute has just reported the results of its Email Authentication Survey. While the survey proclaims that "Phishing Threatens to Diminish the Use of the Internet and Emails," the underlying reported results are not quite so dire.

For example, while 71% of surveyed individuals are concerned or very concerned about receiving fake emails (from a sender other than represented) phishing for personal information, only 17% state that they were tricked into responding to such fake emails or phishing probes.

There is no question that phishing and fake emails are not unusual. Indeed, 83% of respondents have heard about or experienced a phishing probe, and 53% have received a fake email that poses to be an institution with which they routinely do business, such as their primary financial services provider. But receipt of such probes and emails does not necessarily translate into serious tangible harm for each and every recipient.

While many individuals have not directly suffered harm, for 80% of respondents, phishing probes and fake emails have caused reduced trust and confidence in email and 72% have reduced email in-box review. Moreover, 59% report that they are no longer as active in transacting business on the Internet and 41% have reduced the amount of email they send (of course, one would presume that individuals would be more concerned about email they receive, as opposed to email on their own that they send).

Still, notwithstanding worries, 71% of respondents visit retail Web sites, and 64% go to news and information sites. On top of that, 59% of respondents regularly contact their financial institutions online.

The Internet and email are here to stay. Sure, as with any mode of communication and new information technology, there are associated problems. Anyone who actually has been a true, harmed victim of a phishing probe or fake email, who unwittingly has placed confidential data in the hands of wrongdoers, certainly can attest to such problems. But one cannot conclude categorically that Internet use and the use of email is diminishing in a real way based on the 1,913 usable responses to this particular study.

Interestingly, in response to the study, some persons surveyed stated that they would like to see a visible trust seal or icon in the Subject line of emails from trusted senders. Of course, while a bit more cumbersome to do, those seals or icons still could be faked.

Be careful out there as we continue to find out way with new modes of communication.

Reprinted here with permission from USAToday.com.