Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should take more responsibility for online security and the content on their networks, it has been claimed.

The recommendation was made in a new study of internet activity - the Personal Internet Security report - which has been compiled by the House of Lords.

Providers need to take more responsibility for security is due to users' laxity when it comes to security and their inability to comprehend the risks, the report reasons.

The report said: "The current assumption that end-users should be responsible for security is inefficient and unrealistic. We therefore urge the Government and Ofcom to engage with the network operators and Internet Service Providers to develop higher and more uniform standards of security within the industry."

In particular, the study recommended that a BSI-approved kitemark should be introduced for internet services.

However, the report's compilers stopped short of endorsing "heavy-handed intervention by the regulator".

Currently, ISPS are subject to one regulation in the UK, which states that they must block websites showing images of child abuse. The list of the websites is maintained by the Internet Watch Foundation.