IT Security

Consumer risks survey

by Mark Rowe

Malware has become the most frequent online threat faced by consumers, according to research by the IT security product company Kaspersky Lab and B2B International. Nearly half (42 per cent) have come across, or been targeted by malware online, with a fifth (22 per cent) falling victim to it as a result. Almost a third (29 per cent) of Internet users affected by malware have no idea how it ended up on their device. These results show that due to the nature of malware attacks, the use of reliable security solutions is the only way for people to stay protected, the IT company says.

The findings, which are part of the Lab’s Consumer Security Risks Survey 2016, show what the It firm calls the scourge of malware across society as the route of infection and sophistication of attacks continues to increase. Internet users face a range of problems as a result, including device slow down (24 per cent), the presence of pop-ups and unwanted adverts (22 per cent) and being redirected to suspicious websites (13 per cent). For seven per cent, their device has stopped working as a result of a malware virus.

The impact on consumers is not only physical but financial, with a third (36 per cent) of users saying they have to spend money to fix a problem caused by a malware attack, averaging at $121 per incident.

Malware is increasingly being spread in a wide manner of ways, according to the research, and although the source of malware infections varies for different consumers, the study found the highest number of infections happen when people visit suspicious websites (42 per cent). Fake apps and software (22 per cent) and USB sticks (20 per cent) are also cited by one in five as the source of a malware infection they have experienced. E-mails and messaging are also a common source of infection. Nearly a fifth of people (18 per cent) said a virus was transferred to them from an email or other message from someone they don’t know, and 16 per cent even experienced the same in an email or message from someone they do know. Trusted websites that have been hacked and the transition of malware from another infected device are also mentioned by 16 per cent of users. However, for 29 per cent of Internet users affected by malware, they have no idea of the source.

Andrei Mochola, Head of Consumer Business at Kaspersky Lab, said: “The malware menace is an ongoing headache for consumers as cybercriminals have become more and more sophisticated and sneaky at launching attacks on the devices we use daily. “With a third of Internet users completely unaware of how they became infected, this can help to further spread the virus and put even more of our devices, details and finances in danger. To stay safe, consumers need to increase their cyber-savviness and be more aware of the dangers they are up against in their use of new websites or opening apps or emails from unknown sources. Given the financial costs involved, reliable protection to spot malware which might otherwise have gone unnoticed, coupled with heightened awareness and vigilance is undoubtedly better than a cure.”

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