Janet Jackson's breast more popular than antivirus protection

Updating virus protection is less memorable than nudity and malware infections are less likely than lightning strikes, according to some US PC users.

A survey by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) found far more people remembered the name of the pop singer who accidentally flashed her breast during this year's Super Bowl half time break than when they last updated their virus protection – 90 per cent for the former and 60 per cent for the latter.

Given how slim most people rate their chances of being infected with malware – and the existence of TiVo – it's hardly shocking not everyone has the most up-to-date antivirus protection.

Of those surveyed by the NCSA, 30 per cent of people think they're more likely to be struck by lightning, win the lottery or get a visit from the taxman than get infected by malware.

Young people are even less security aware. For the under-25s, 40 per cent thought a lottery win was more probable than a cyber security breach.

The results of the security survey also found that 70 per cent of those queried were more worried about their digital security this year than they were last year.

The survey comes at the start of the NCSA's National Cyber Security Awareness Month. To help spread the word, the not-for-profit organisation has signed up convicted con artist turned fraud expert Frank Abagnale - whose life story was made into the Steven Spielberg film Catch Me If You Can - as a spokesman.