Many UK internet users are taking unnecessary fraud risks by not
taking basic security precautions, according to an online security
report published today.
The report from joint government and business online security
awareness initiative,
Get Safe Online (GSO), said 15% of internet users still do not
use
anti-virus software.
A survey of 1,436 adult internet users in the UK showed 48% of
those using anti-virus software do not use automatic updating
facilities to ensure it remains effective.
Almost a quarter (23%) surveyed said they do not have any
anti-spyware protection and nearly half (47%) do not have
website authentication software to protect from phishing
attacks.
Until these gaps are closed, the door is still wide open for
criminals, said Garreth Griffith, head of UK risk management at
Paypal, a GSO sponsor.
For many internet users, the basic checks are still missing he
said at the launch of the GSO report and new-look
website in London today to
coincide with the start of Get Safe Online week.
The organisation estimates that the average UK internet user
risks losing up to £14,500 per fraud attempt.
Once criminals have gained access to personal details, they are
able to empty bank accounts and use credit card limits very
quickly, GSO said.
The aim of Get Safe Online Week, however, is to give everyone
the tools they need to use the internet safely, said Tony Neate,
managing director of GSO.
"We are actively encouraging people to go online, but in doing
so, to ensure that they are safe and secure," he said.
According to Neate, the risk of financial loss is negligible if
they invest a relatively small amount of time and energy in
ensuring they have basic protection in place and it is all up to
date.