SCCyberworld

Monday, October 7, 2013

2013 Norton Report: Cost per Cybercrime Victim Up 50 Per cent


Consumers Sleeping with their Smartphones and Tablets, but Failing to Use Protection

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – October 3, 2013  – Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) today released the global findings from the 2013 Norton Report, which shows that while the number of online adults who have experienced cybercrime has decreased (from 46 percent in 2012 to 41 percent in 2013), the average cost per victim has risen by 50 percent (from US$197 in 2012 to US$298 in 2013).

“With the borderless nature of the Internet, cybercrime threats are not confined to any specific country and  Malaysia is not immune to it. Today’s cybercriminals are using more sophisticated attacks such as ransomware and spear-phising, which yield them more money per attack than ever before,” said Alex Ong, Country Director, Symantec Malaysia.

Alex Ong (Country Director, Symantec Malaysia).

He added, “Consumers can no longer be careless in protecting their valuable information, whether it is their personal identity, credit card or financial details. With an increasing number of Malaysians connecting to the Internet using their mobile devices, they need to take proactive steps to protect their information from security risks, especially threats that come through mobile devices.”

With 49 per cent consumers globally using their personal mobile device for both work and play, this creates entirely new security risks for enterprises as cybercriminals have the potential to access even more valuable information. This year’s report further reveals that as consumers become more mobile and connected, these conveniences often come at a cost to them and their security. Despite the fact that 63 percent of those surveyed own smartphones and 30 percent own tablets, nearly one-in-two don’t take basic precautions such as using passwords, having security software or backing up files on their mobile device.
David Rajoo (Senior Technical Consultant, Symantec Malaysia).

“Unfortunately while consumers are protecting their computers, there is a general lack of awareness to safeguard their smartphones and tablets. It’s as if they have alarm systems for their homes, but they’re leaving their cars unlocked with the windows wide open. This carelessness places them, and their digital identities, at risk,” said David Rajoo, Senior Technical Consultant, Symantec Malaysia.

The 2013 Norton Report also finds that many consumers are engaging in risky behavior that has them playing a game of chance with their private information, putting them at risk of becoming the next victim of online criminals. Survey results show that this isn’t entirely due to lack of awareness. In fact, one-third (34 percent) of consumers surveyed admitted that the convenience of being constantly connected outweighed any potential security risks. Even when 62 percent said that there is no such thing as “online privacy” in today’s world and 61 percent assume that “everything they put online will / can be seen by any and everyone.”

For more findings from the 2013 Norton Report, please visit go.symantec.com/norton-report-2013 .  For more information on Norton mobile protection offerings, please visit http://malaysia.norton.com .

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