I generally detest press releases that arrive replete with commissioned “research” that conveniently “proves” why Wonder Widget X is better than sliced bread. Yes, I know that’s the way the marketing world works, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. So an email I received from 3M’s PR company the other day that contained the fatal phrase “according to research commissioned by 3M” should count itself very lucky.

Actually, it was only because the research findings rang true that I gave it a stay of execution. 3M makes, among other handy items, privacy filters for laptops, which is what the press release was all about. “Shoulder surfing” is apparently something that’s embedded deep in the British genetic code, with 80 percent of the survey respondents admitting to reading over someone’s shoulder in public. This is no real news to any of us, I’m sure, and being a regular commuter I can’t dispute the finding that 56 percent of people admit to trying to read what’s on someone’s laptop screen, as I’m one of them.

What really worries (and baffles) me is the sheer stupidity of so many laptop users in public places. They really do seem blissfully unaware of what they’re doing. During my daily train travels to and from London over the years, I’ve seen information that would make an IT manager cry and a business competitor rub their hands with glee.

On one occasion I noticed a presentation detailing the financial results of a large company prior to their public disclosure.

Unfortunately, today’s laptops, with huge, bright, clear screens and massive viewing angles, are ideal fodder for prying eyes. And I doubt whether even 3M’s filter solutions will solve the problem entirely. I’ve found that the best place to shoulder surf on modern trains is through the gap in the headrests so you’re almost head-on to the display of the person in front of you. And with the overcrowded trains we’re so used to now, standing up gives you a bird’s-eye view of password entries, plus mobile phone and PDA screens.

It’s a great worry for companies that all this commercially sensitive information is being put on open display to the public, but it is largely because of this pervasive attitude we seem to have nowadays whereby “dead” time must be filled up with work.

All the security hardware and software in the world can’t prevent a nosy neighbour’s eyes wandering. So by all means get out your laptops, fellow commuters, but at the very least try and develop a healthy sense of paranoia. But don’t worry if you spot me in the vicinity – I promise I won’t look too closely. Honest.