Fernando Alonso Lifts the Lid on His Digital Life

The Formula 1 Legend Shares His Thoughts about Modern Technology and What Role Gadgets and the Internet Play in His Life

New York, November 27, 2012. “New technologies and social media these days are really helpful for us. We’re now connected to the Internet 24/7, so we need to stay safe there - to be protected.” These are not the words of an IT professional, but those of a world-renowned racing driver speaking at a recent global press conference with Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder of IT security vendor Kaspersky Lab. They are the words of Fernando Alonso, Scuderia Ferrari’s Formula 1 star, which he used when describing his digital life.

The event brought together two giants in their respective fields, and offered a tantalizing glimpse of the various ways cutting-edge technology enhances their personal lives. They shared their experiences of how gadgets, the Internet, social networking and all the phenomena of our digital era have affected them.

During a lively discussion, the two shared the following illuminating insights:

Fernando Alonso admitted that there is not a day in his life when he’s not online. And he manages his social networks accounts by himself: “I use Twitter myself, even though I have people who could help me. Maybe sometimes I’m not as polite as I could be, but it’s the real me.”

So much of Eugene’s life is in the digital sphere that he makes himself take virtual vacations from time to time, deliberately avoiding the Internet and gadgets. He is more protected online than the average Internet user because he is acutely aware of all the dangers: “Being in this business so long has made me paranoid.”

The dialogue came at the start of the global ‘Safeguarding Me’ advertising campaign, created by Kaspersky Lab and supported by Fernando Alonso in his role as the campaign ambassador.

The campaign emphasizes just how vital our digital life has become in today’s world. Laptops, tablets, smartphones … we all store valuable personal data on these gadgets, and carry them with us wherever we go. The information on these devices is a huge part of who we are - and that’s why it’s so important to protect it. And this is what the new edition of Kaspersky Lab’s bestselling product, Kaspersky Internet Security, is all about.

In a promo video specially created for the Safeguarding Me campaign, Fernando talks us through some of his most treasured possessions - with his laptop, and the personal information it stores, being the key item. The video has been translated into 12 languages and is shown in 80+ countries starting November 20.

Quotes:

Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and Co-founder, Kaspersky Lab
“You need to ensure you’re very well protected - not just by using products and technologies but by using your head too. And you need to be on the alert all the time, and to trust no one!”

“You need to secure your digital life. Especially if you’re like me and Fernando: meeting lots of people and travelling a lot.”

Fernando Alonso, Formula One Driver, Scuderia Ferrari
“New technologies and social media these days are really helpful for us. We’re now connected to the Internet 24/7, so we need to stay safe there - to be protected. I use Twitter myself, even though I have people who could help me. Maybe sometimes I’m not as polite as I could be, but it’s the real me.”