Net's dark side turns users off broadband

A tide of spam, spyware, porn, pop-ups and viruses is ruining the online experience for internet users, according to a new report.

The report, Fat Pipes, Connected People, the result of a year-long study conducted by The Work Foundation in partnership with the Broadband Stakeholder Group, found that regular internet users spend many hours coping with unwanted intrusions, which have become "significantly worse" during the last year.

"Broadband is vital for Britain's future, but the industry must put itself in its customers' shoes and see how this tide of rubbish is beginning to ruin the experience of going online," warned the report's co-author, James Crabtree.

The UK is still sixth out of the G7 countries in terms of take-up. There are signs that most people who wanted broadband have now got it, so the industry must appeal to a new group that the report labels the "everyday user".

Most users rely on friends and family to overcome the dark side of the net in their search for security, safety, and ease of use online, rather than receiving the help they need from an internet service provider.

Suppliers must get better at helping people install broadband and find ways to help them explore and enjoy its possibilities, said the report.