About 45% of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed on behalf of Microsoft by Ipsos Public Affairs believe they have little or no control over the personal information companies gather about them while using online services.

Yet almost as many, about 40%, believe they totally or mostly understand how to protect their privacy online. Approximately the same percentage says they rely on friends, family and privacy statements as their primary sources of privacy information. About a third of respondents say they pay close attention to companies' privacy reputations when choosing online services.