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Here, Take My Wallet, Just Don't Phish Me
from the what's-security? dept
A new survey in the UK says people there are more concerned about online crime than some physical crimes like burglary and mugging. While the stats are a little misleading -- 21% say they think they're most likely to be exposed to "online crime" in general, while individual physical crimes were broken out individually and collectively still worry more people -- they do illustrate the depths of the growing fear people have over online activity. This has more implications than people not wanting to deal with spam or spyware, as the survey says that one in four people won't bank online because of security concerns, a fifth won't shop online, and one in six won't go online at all. The survey's part of a national campaign to educate people about online security issues and raise awareness of measures they can use to protect themselves, something that's clearly needed as it shows plenty of people still go without common security software. However, this figure also shows that solely relying on people to protect themselves isn't the best solution, and that other new measures are needed to make the internet safer and more secure. This isn't necessarily because people aren't smart enough to protect themselves, but also because the number of threats is growing and becoming more complex -- and legitimate actors like banks are making it difficult for consumers to distinguish them from scammers.
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Okay
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Online Security
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Security Schmecurity
Anyone with reasonable computer skills should have no problem keeping their personal computers safe.
A router with a good firewall and a little common sense is honestly all you need. Antivirus, anti-spyware, etc. are all more like car alarms than smoke alarms. They don't protect against much, and people usually ignore the warning signs anyway.
Set up a tight firewall, don't download email attachments you aren't expecting, and stay away from porn sites. You should be trouble-free!
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What
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DANGEROUS Misconception
Another thing to consider is that while you may not be online, every major corporation you do business with IS online, and it's likely that your data is stored somewhere on one of their networked machines, as well as possible employee laptops.
Never assume that you're out of danger by being out of the game.
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Re: DANGEROUS Misconception
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Whoops...
Definitely worth saying.
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Re: Re: DANGEROUS Misconception
You walk into a store - ask for credit, fill out a form with basic questions, including name, age, address, phone number, average outgoings etc etc all the stuff thats commonly on a credit form these days and the clerk asks to photocopy your credit card or similar for ID verification
He now has enough details about you to be able to perform virtually any financial transaction in your name and you never even touched a computer...
On the other hand if everyone is now scared of the internet but I spend my entire time surfing, that must make me the dashing, devil-may-care dare-devil I always wanted to be - cool i'll go get me cape ;0)
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