Cyber Crimes Rise as Consumer Confidence Declines

In its most recent half-yearly Security Index report, Unisys highlights that consumers by a huge number are certain that the economic recession is responsible for risking them greatly with identity theft. This kind of theft, they understand is due to common phishing, targeted 'spear' phishing as well as other related crimes such as data theft over the Internet.

Says the Unisys report that the Security Index that indicates the extent of respondents' security concern grew 20% from a measured level of 125 in 2008 to 150 in 2009.

Vice-President of Global Security Solutions Neil Fisher at Unisys argued that the economic turmoil had undermined people's trust in institutions of finance, and that scammers were increasingly choosing online fraud in pursuit of money. Vnunet.com published this on April 20, 2009.

Additionally Fisher said that criminals themselves were also facing consequences of the recession, therefore they were searching easy methods of earning monetary profits such as attacking people through the Web.

Moreover, Ian Readhead, Director of Information for Association of Chief Police Officers also echoed what Fisher commented. He said the economic slowdown was compelling an evolution and development in general crime. For, as conventional criminal acts began to shed profit yields, malicious attackers started to find new ways to exploit online banking or other e-commerce in order to grab identities. TheRetailBulletin reported this on April 20, 2009.

Moreover, the findings of Unisys further reveal that with respect to concerns regarding Internet banking and shopping, spam, viruses and worms, Germany is one of the most concerned countries.

However, the scenario in Belgium is completely different, according to the report. There, people are least worried about computer viruses and spam. Conversely, countries that are moderately concerned about online security are U.S, Brazil, U.K, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

Furthermore, almost 75% of U.S citizens are worried about their cyber security. Curiously, in Germany where people are so highly worried about financial issues, there, response is rather tepid in comparison to other countries. Also in Netherlands, where 32% apprehend the risk level to "somewhat rise" or "greatly rise," is remarkably unconcerned regarding cyber threats.

Related article: Cyber Child abuser Sentenced To Imprisonment

» SPAMfighter News - 4/30/2009