Brits Believe Cyber-Attacks Are ‘Getting More Personal’

A UK-wide survey by safety watchdog Get Safe Online has found that more than one in five (21 percent) victims of cybercrime believe they were specifically targeted by fraudsters looking to get hold of personal information or assets.

More than a third (37 percent) were left feeling vulnerable as a result, suggesting that security companies may need to do more to ensure their customers feel protected from the latest threats. More than half of British consumers believe that it’s becoming much easier to fall victim to an online crime than before.

Wise up

securityThe survey also indicates that the British public are becoming more aware of cybercrime, which is leading to an increase in knowledge of the risks. Thirty percent of those surveyed said they believed they know more about online safety now compared to a year ago, with a further 21 percent say they know more than they did two years ago.

This awareness has been heightened by several recent high profile data breaches, which has also had an effect on the amount of information users share with companies. Nearly two thirds (64 percent) say they are now more cautious about sharing their personal data with companies, with women (69 percent) found to be much more cautious than men (60 percent).

Growing risk?

However despite this growth in knowledge, it seems that more can still be done. Almost two thirds (65 percent) claim they could do more to stay safe online.  Almost a quarter (22 percent) aren’t conscious about using strong passwords, 13 percent still have public social media accounts and one in 10 don’t bother using security software on their connected devices.

“As we spend more of our lives online, our digital footprints inevitably get bigger,” said Tony Neate, chief executive of Get Safe Online. “Sadly, that means opportunist fraudsters will use information about us to make their scams more believable and difficult to detect. Being online offers so many great opportunities for everyone and we would never discourage anyone from enjoying and benefiting from them.

“However, we do urge people to take precautions so they don’t make themselves vulnerable to underhanded scammers.”

Neate emphasised the simple steps that users can take to protect themselves online, including putting a password on connected devices such as phones or tablets, using the highest security settings on social media accounts, and never disclosing confidential details when are contacted by an email or on the phone, as a legitimate organisation would never ask for this.

Are you a security pro? Try our quiz!

Mike Moore

Michael Moore joined TechWeek Europe in January 2014 as a trainee before graduating to Reporter later that year. He covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to mobile devices, wearable tech, the Internet of Things, and financial technology.

Recent Posts

DeepMind’s Hassabis Urges UK To Expand AI Ambitions

DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis says top universities, tech talent give UK key edge in fast-moving…

13 hours ago

BYD Says Latest EVs Can Charge As Fast As Pumping Petrol

BYD says new electric vehicle platform can charge at 1,000 kW power, giving 400 kilometres…

14 hours ago

New Intel Chief Lip-Bu Tan ‘Considers’ Job Cuts, Factory Revamp

Incoming Intel chief executive Lip-Bu Tan considering cuts to middle management, revamp of Intel Foundry,…

14 hours ago

South Korea Sees China Chip Exports Slump

South Korean chip exports to China fall by nearly one-third after US government restricts sales…

15 hours ago

New Huawei Chip Appears As Company Shifts Away From Windows, Intel

Huawei's Kirin X90 chip receives security certification ahead of rumoured launch of HarmonyOS-based PC next…

15 hours ago

Telegram’s Durov Allowed To Leave France As Probe Continues

Telegram founder Durov permitted to temporarily leave France as authorities continue probe into criminal activity…

16 hours ago