ACMA Reports that Half of Australian Internauts are not Concerned about Malware

Acma.gov.au published a report on 2nd October, 2013 stating that Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently released a research report on malware (malicious software) which signifies that just about half of all mature Australians using the World Wide Web for personal uses i.e. in excess of 7 million people - don't think that they would be a victimized by cybercrime.

Moreover, 10% of those, who enter the web from home-based PCs (1.5 million users), do not use any kind of security software and 8% have admitted that they don't up-date their software on a regular basis.

According to ACMA's research, the chief reason given by Internauts for not installing security software is owning a "brand of computer" which is protected against threats.

And among those who have software but don't up-date it, some say they don't know how to up-date, some "don't have time" and some are just "not bothered".

Softpedia.com published a report on 2nd October, 2013 quoting a comment of Richard Bean, Deputy Chairman and Cyber Security Spokesman of ACMA as "These disturbing results show that Australian Internauts require to be more watchful in defending their computers from malware. malware is a true menace and it permits others to embezzle information about your individual identity that includes your login information for Web services like Internet banking. It (malware) can be employed to obtain access to nearly all data on your machine including your history of online browsing".

Acma.gov.au reported on 2nd October, 2013 quoting Bean as saying "While it's not easy to correctly assess the quantity of malware in flow, the ACMA is recognizing and reporting record figures of malware contamination under its fundamental AISI (Australian Internet Security Initiative) program".

Approximately 35,500 contaminated Australian IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are presently being accounted every day through AISI, out of which, many are tainted with Zeus Trojan which is designed mainly to embezzle login credentials for online booking.

88% of Australian Internauts surveyed employ the web for online-based financial transactions.

The ACMA's stats are the result of a survey of 1500 Internauts via telephone.

ACMA recommends Australians to use tough passwords for their Internet accounts and install security solutions and make sure that their operating systems (OS) together with all software are up-dated regularly.

» SPAMfighter News - 10/10/2013