Too many people are putting themselves at risk of online fraud and theft by sharing details they would not share with anyone in a more tangible environment, it has been stated.

Tony Neate, the managing director of UK national internet security awareness campaign Get Safe Online, said that many thieves are simply waiting for pieces of a puzzle to fall into place regarding a person's details.

He explained: "We're all concerned about our identity and we're all concerned about privacy but we're giving away this sort of information. It's the information we wouldn't [give away] if we were at the bus stop.

Luckily, many people can be classed as the "more savvy silver surfer", as some are much better at holding back on divulging such information than others.

The government, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Ofcom and private sector sponsors are the main partners of the Get Safe Online campaign, promoting confident and safe use of internet facilities.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).