Because of perceived threats online, including identity theft, internet users are becoming less trustful of websites and have therefore reduced their online time (30 percent of respondents) as well as stopped shopping online (25 percent of respondents), according to a survey by Consumer Reports WebWatch released Wednesday, reports Agence France Presse. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said keeping personal information safe and secure is very important; 80 percent said they were at least "somewhat concerned" about identity theft.

Eighty-six percent have made at least one change in their online behavior; and 53 percent said they have stopped giving out personal information on the internet.

Among those who continue to shop online, 29 percent said they have cut back, and 54 percent of those who shop online say they have become more likely to read a site's privacy policy or user agreement before buying.

However, interest in the internet remains strong, the survey found. For example, adults saying they get most of their news from the internet had increased from five percent in a similar survey in 2002 to 11 percent currently.