Ah yes, it is that time of year again. It’s time for us to put on our phishing boots as this year looks like phishing season will be starting early.

As colder weather brings some consumers’ thoughts to shopping for the holidays, a study shows fewer purchases being made over the Internet for fear of online phishing scams that steal personal information.

According to a recent study conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI) for Consumer Reports Web Watch, about 30 percent of American Internet users say they are cutting back on how often they make purchases, and nearly a quarter have stopped buying items online altogether. Over half of those surveyed who still make Internet purchases are more concerned about how Web Sites use their personal information and therefore read privacy policies and user agreements more thoroughly. [Read the rest]

Tags: phishing, browser security, consumer reports web watch, princeton survey research associates international