Nine out of 10 Internet users say they have changed their online habits to avoid spyware and other Internet-based threats, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that an overwhelming majority of Internet users have stopped opening questionable e-mail attachments or taken other steps to avoid a plague of stealthy, unwanted programs that can disable computers or secretly monitor online activity.

Nearly half said they have stopped visiting particular Web sites that they suspect may deposit unwanted programs on their computers, while 25 percent say they have stopped downloading music or movies from peer-to-peer networks that may harbor spyware.

Eighteen percent said they had switched the type of Web browser they use in order to avoid spyware.

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