Sigh. Consumer Reports says Internet scams have cost American consumers $7 billion dollars since 2005. According to Consumer Reports, between spam, spyware, phishing, and viruses—you have a 1 in 4 chance of becoming a "cybervictim."
Please: Tell a friend! Internet scams exist—and we've heard rumors that knowing is half the battle.
Half of Americans clueless about online threats [Ars Technica]
U.S. CONSUMERS LOSE MORE THAN $7 BILLION TO ONLINE THREATS, CONSUMER REPORTS SURVEY FINDS [Consumer Reports]
(Photo:Getty)
O___O
Hopefully my generation's a bit smarter then that. >>;;
]]>Exactly. What a horribly worded question. I'd answer no, just to protest its vagueness.
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The biggest news is that 81 percent of those polled admitted that it was their responsibility. I didn't think the notion of personal responsibility existed in our culture anymore!
@Rectilinear Propagation: I would think they are using the hey buy Viagra for 67 cents a pill type of spam in this poll.
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I wonder, of that 58%, how many are not regular internet users. If you only have access at the public library, or at work, or if you've just stayed behind the curve for whatever reason, you wouldn't have much call to know about "online threats."
Of course, that can't account for all of it. It may be the terminology -- I mean, I think anyone who's ever had an email account is aware of spam, but how many would consider it a threat instead of a nuisance?
In other words, Windows users (not the uber-knowledgeable kind, the must-buy-cheap-at-any-cost kind)
Knowing is 99.9% of the battle.
Windows with AV software is still unsafe on the Internet because virus developers test against all the major AntiVirus products. Most have an 80% failure rate against new threats.
The whole idea of trying to determine "bad programs" from good ones is futile in any case as there will always be more bad ones.
So called "safe computing" practices work only up to a point. Threats do appear regularly on major sites or in a search result.
The solution is to move off the Microsoft Windows platform. Both Linux and Mac do not need Antivirus software to be safely used on the Internet. Each can also virtualize Windows, so you can preserve your Windows application investment and no longer fear Windows infections.
The last 10% are phishing type threats which occur on all platforms.
]]>If you're getting *spyware* every week (not cookies) then you have a problem.
]]>(Does anyone think of spam as a threat?)
]]>I actually admire the 81% for admitting to their own stupidity and taking responsibilty for their actions. Hopefully they learned something.
Cue the strummy music to signify the end of this episode of "Full House".
]]>A 1/4 chance if you're unaware. Even higher chances if you're an idiot about it.
I've used online shopping, banking, friend networking, and credit card subscriptions online for over 6-7 years now and I haven't had a single problem. I've never had any of my information hacked, any spyware I get I clear out every week when I run ad-aware.
I'm not saying it can't happen, but knowing which sites to trust with any of your information can easily lower your chances of a security breach.
]]>Well, if you fall for a stupid get rich scheme it is your fault. Why the italics on that? Seems like they figured out they were dumbasses and have learned from thier mistakes. Are we supposed to say they were blameless victims?
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"Are you aware of online threats?"
"What online threats?"
(writes down "no")