September 15, 2010
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News: Are You One Of The 65 Percent?
If you surf the web whether it be occasionally or on a regular basis, you are at great risk for credit card theft, identity theft, and other various cybercrimes. A recent report by Symantec claims that 65 percent of all web users worldwide have been the victim of debit card, credit card, or other cybercrimes. The number is huge in relation to the number of persons that use the internet on a daily basis and for many, hourly basis. Symantec's Cybercrime Report: The Human Impact shows that the majority have been victimized through viruses and online debit or credit card fraud. Of the respondents surveyed by the company, 58 percent were very angry, 51 percent said they were annoyed and 40 percent admitted to feeling cheated.
When asked if they believed that the authorities would be able to apprehend the debit and credit card thieves and virus creators, 80 percent said “No.” Of those web users that have not yet become a victim of cybercrime, only three percent felt they would not fall victim to debit card fraud, credit card fraud, or viruses. After hearing the results of the report, 51 percent of the survey respondents said they would be making changes in how they surf the internet and protect themselves. Most amazing was that only 44 percent of those that have fallen victim reported the crime to the police.
Cybercrime investigators say that it takes an average of 28 days to solve a crime. However, if you speak to a representative of one of the major credit card companies, that number is likely to change. It can take up to five, six, or even ten years before a cybercrime ring is taken down. Today criminals are often one step ahead of the law and have the ability and resources to create highly sophisticated technology that allows them to infiltrate the security systems of vulnerable companies. However, according to Anne Collier, the Co-Director of ConnectSafely.org and editor of NetFamilyNews.org, people can protect themselves by being proactive and having up-to-date, comprehensive security software in place.