The scale of the cyber crime problem affecting IT contractors and other web users has been revealed in a new survey.

Unisys Security Index research suggests that one in ten Brits has switched bank or retailer because of concerns over web security. In addition, it found that 85 per cent of UK adults are concerned about internet fraud.

Reacting to the news, Con Mallon, security expert at information security software firm Norton, said that people need to be educated about the many different ways in which data can be stolen on the web.

"Today cybercriminals use many different methods to gain access to people's private information and the main emotions they tend to exploit are fear and trust, and this is where we can sometimes be caught out," he said.

Norton's own research reveals that 59 per cent of people in the UK have been victims of cyber crime at some point.