Australians have multiple online personalities and are possibly revealing more than they should, according to a new survey.

The Symantec Identity Survey, released to coincide with World Computer Security Day, shows Australians typically have more than 10 online profiles or virtual identities, and 20 per cent believe that their online profile is closer to their true self.

Clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller believes the findings show people are more comfortable with their online identities than they are with themselves.

"We have been aware that young people have actively been redefining what friendship means through online interactions. This survey now shows us this is not just restricted to young people, or even digital nativism," Mr Fuller said.

"Seventeen per cent of Australian online 'power users' believe their online profile is more about who they would like to be, rather than who they really are. This finding clearly shows it's not just friendship or peer networks that are being redefined, but also your own sense of who you are."

The survey also shows that while people liked the relative anonymity of the internet, it could encourage them to be more open and reveal too much information.

It found 54 per cent of Australians provide three or more types of personal details online to sites such as blogs, social networking sites, shopping or auction sites.

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed admitted to revealing their real name online and a third also admitted to revealing their home address online - details that could be used by others to commit identity fraud.

"One of the odd findings is that people can be fully aware of the dangers of identity theft online and still act in ways that place them at risk," said Mr Fuller.

"This is largely because the more ubiquitous and necessary a product or technology becomes, the easier it is to ignore even well-known risks associated with it. This phenomenon is known as risk denial."

Symantec's David Freer said that despite the risks of providing such information, many Australians believe online risks would never stop or limit the way they interact online.

"The survey is a clear indication of how entrenched the internet has become in our lives and is all the more reason why Australians need to have sufficient online protection, as well as practice good online safety principles," Mr Freer said.

The Symantec Australian Identity Survey involved 596 Australians aged between 16-49 years old and was conducted by Woolcott Research on behalf of Symantec.