Cyber-Crime, An Epidemic Hitting 65% of Web-Users

Symantec, in its new research paper "The Human Impact," states that Web-surfers must maintain caution while going online since 65% of people on the Internet worldwide have been victimized with cyber-crime.

The paper, incidentally, is a maiden research for studying the emotional impact of online-crime. For it, over 7,000 Internet users were surveyed across 14 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Spain, China and Australia.

The data from this survey discloses that most victims are reported from China (83%), India and Brazil both (76%) and USA (73%).

Moreover, PC malware and viruses represent the most prevalent threats, with 51% of respondents saying that these threats affected them. 10% said they were hit with 'Internet scams,' 9% with 'phishing' and 7% each with online payment card scam, sexual predation, and social network infiltration.

Said PhD associate professor of psychology Joseph LaBrie at Loyola Marymount University, there was a general acceptance of cyber-crime owing to a learned defenselessness. Sacbee.com reported this on September 8, 2010.

LaBrie further said that it was similar to getting mugged at a motor car garage - a person with insufficient knowledge regarding cars didn't quarrel with the repair man. There was simply an acceptance of the situation, despite people feeling bad about it, he added.

Evidently, even with the emotional burden that goes with cyber-crime, people aren't ready to act differently. 51% of adults said that they'd act differently, but merely when they'd be victimized.

Meanwhile, it takes around 28 days for getting a cyber-crime solved with an expense of around $334 (218 pounds). Said 28% of respondents who had been victimized that the greatest harassment from a cyber-crime was the time involved in getting it solved. Owing to such harassment, not even 44% reportedly informed the police about an online crime.

Said cyber-security advisor Adam Palmer at Norton, everybody bore the cost of cyber-crime, whether directly or indirectly via their financial institutions in the form of pass-along costs. PCAdvisor published this on September 8, 2010.

Palmer explained that despite cyber-criminals filching small sums for staying undetected, they all added up, so reporting a theft was vital in preventing the criminal(s) from escaping.

Related article: Cyber Child abuser Sentenced To Imprisonment

» SPAMfighter News - 9/16/2010