CONSUMERS GET HIGH MARKS FOR USING
TECHNOLOGY TO STAY SAFER ONLINE, THOUGH SOCIALLY-ENGINEERED
RISKS REMAIN A CONCERN
~ Microsoft Unveils
New Research and Tools to Help Increase Online Safety
~
October 2011
(Redmond, WA) -- In
an age where a new cyber threat seems to make headlines
every week, it's easy to understand people's uncertainty
when it comes to cyber security. The good news is that
people are actually doing a significantly better job
computing safely than they may even realize.
The inaugural Microsoft Computing
Safety Index (MSCI) has found that 59 percent of people
think they use automatic updates while in actuality
85 percent use them. In fact, the Index shows people
are using automatic system updates, firewalls and virus
protection nearly 28 percent more on average than they
think they are.
The MCSI shows the nature
of online threats has shifted significantly over the
last several years from technical, software driven threats
to socially engineered attacks. Consumers are now most
vulnerable to threats such as fraudulent malicious links,
online identity theft, cyberbullying, and exposing sensitive
personal information. According to the Index, more than
one in four has been a victim of identity theft while
sixty-one percent of parents say they haven't educated
their children on how to deal with cyberbullying.
To help address some of these
challenges, Microsoft is releasing two new interactive
resources. First, people have an opportunity to take
their own Computing Safety Index survey to help them
determine how they compare in online safety. Second,
Microsoft is also releasing a new interactive consumer
toolkit: "Digital
Citizenship in Action,"which provides people with
tips and tools to help them stay safer online.
The Microsoft Computing Safety
Index (MSCI) was conducted in five countries - Brazil,
France, Germany, U.K., and the U.S. - and asked consumers
about their online safety habits and practices. This
survey will be conducted annually to provide a look
at the consumer adoption of online privacy and security
practices and features and how these tools are used.
For more information, visit:
microsoft.com/security/mcsi.
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