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Trend Micro Study Reveals that Data and Identity Thefts Top Consumer Security-Worry List, But Many Admit to Poor Security
Consumers are concerned about data and identity theft with the vast majority banking and shopping online, yet many have not taken adequate security measures to protect themselves
Cupertino, California – September 18, 2006 – Trend Micro, Incorporated (TSE:4704, NASDAQ: TMIC), a leader in antivirus and Internet content security, today released findings from a study that reveals the extent to which consumers in the United States fear identity and data theft. In particular, the findings highlighted that the majority of respondents do bank and shop online and many store sensitive, personal or financial data on their laptops, however almost one third of respondents admitted to not securing their laptops against theft.
With the busy lives that people nowadays live, many carry laptops and other electronic devices with them, and so new risks and concerns beyond traditional security threats such as car theft and burglary, have emerged. According to the study by Trend Micro, over a third of respondents are very worried about data theft (32 percent) and identify theft (33 percent) in the cyberspace, while only 14 percent of participating consumers indicated that they are very worried about car theft.
The study also showed that 82 percent of respondents regularly make purchases online with a credit/debit card, while 71 percent bank online. This trend is a clear indication of an “on-the-go,” ever busy lifestyle, where technology plays a major role. Worryingly, around a third of respondents (31 percent) admitted to not protecting their laptops while almost 60 percent of participating consumers admitted to storing sensitive or confidential information on them.
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Among those consumers whose laptops are used to store sensitive information, a quarter of them do not take any measures to secure their laptops.
Overall, the study indicated that while the majority of users were aware of and concerned about security risks, a large group still lack sufficient security measures to protect them from identity and data fraud although they proactively conduct personal transactions online. Also, only one third of the consumers that participated in the survey (31 percent) indicated that they believe that retailers are doing enough to protect them during online transactions.
“It is reassuring to see how many consumers are now actively aware of the threats posed by computer related crime, but the large number of laptop users still without security is greatly disturbing,” said Carol Carpenter, vice president, marketing, consumer products and services, Trend Micro. “As laptop usage grows in-line with today’s Internet lifestyles, security-aware consumers are looking for advanced security solutions that extend beyond their computers and enable them to remotely protect themselves from data, identity theft and fraud.”
Key findings include:
• Consumers are slightly more likely to leave sensitive or confidential information on their laptops (58%) than in their cars (55%).
• 58% of consumers store sensitive or confidential information on their laptops. Among them:
- 84% store contact information (names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.) on their laptops
- 69% store personal digital content (photos, videos, music, games, etc.) on their laptops
- 63% store bank/credit card information on their laptops
• Of those surveyed, 31% of consumers do not have their laptops protected. Among those consumers who store sensitive information on their laptops, a quarter of them do not take any measures to secure their laptops.
• 82% of consumers reported that they regularly make purchases online using bank cards. 71% of them reported that they conduct online banking regularly.
• Close to half of the consumers would purchase security software if it enabled them to remotely lock down their laptops in the event that they are stolen.
• Only about a quarter of the consumers believe that their current security software on the laptop will adequately protect their sensitive information from being used if their laptops were stolen.
Trend Micro helps consumers stay secure with its Trend Micro™ Internet Security suite. The suite comprises the PC-cillin™ engine and anti-malware protection and TrendSecure™ a security solution purpose-built for computer-connected consumers. TrendSecure is currently available in English and Japanese. Designed with improved protections to combat malicious cyber-threats like rootkits, spyware, phishing, spam, hackers, viruses, WiFi attacks, smartphone threats and more, Trend Micro Internet Security suite offers active computer users comprehensive security in an automated, easy-to-use package whether they are on-the-go in cyberspace, or on-the-go in the physical world.
Additionally, users can further protect themselves using the new TrendSecure component which offers Remote File Lock™, enabling users to get on the Internet and remotely lock down their private/financial files in the event their laptop is lost or stolen. Transaction Guard™ uses a secret keyboard to protect users’ online transactions conducted at internet cafes or public WiFi hotspots where keyloggers can potentially steal passwords and other private information.
Trend Micro Inc.’s “Stay Connected. Be Protected.” Sweepstakes
Between 09/18/2006 and 11/30/2006, in North America, consumers who register with Trend Micro either by downloading a trial version of the new Trend Micro Internet Security, or upgrading to Trend Micro Internet Security or purchasing the new Trend Micro Internet Security, will be entered into Trend Micro’s “Stay Connected. Be Protected” Sweepstakes. Trend Micro will be giving away 5 Grand Prizes. Each Grand Prize includes a high-perfomance, wireless-ready Dell™ Laptop AND a $1,000 American Express gift card for an online shopping spree. For further information please visit: http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm or
http://www.trendsecure.com/subscription_info/subscription_info.php .
Survey Methodology:
The survey was conducted online in August 2006 among U.S. consumers who are aged 18 and above, drive a car and own a laptop for personal use. More than 700 consumers from across the United States responded to the survey.
About Trend Micro, Inc.
Trend Micro Incorporated is a pioneer in secure content and threat management. Founded in 1988, Trend Micro provides individuals and organizations of all sizes with award-winning security software, hardware and services. With headquarters in Tokyo and operations in more than 30 countries, Trend Micro solutions are sold through corporate and value-added resellers and service providers worldwide. For additional information and evaluation copies of Trend Micro products and services, visit our Web site at www.trendmicro.com.
# # #
Trend Micro, the t-ball logo, PC-cillin and TrendSecure are trademarks or registered trademarks of Trend Micro Incorporated. All other company or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.
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Now that spyware is the single most dangerous threat to home computers connected to the internet today, getting your hands on some sort of spyware and adware protection is critical. Spyware has outpaced computer viruses in its prevalence, and in the kind of damage it can do to your system.
If you plan on using your home PC to do anything on the internet, even minor emailing or a little light surfing, this kind of protection is a must-have.
What is spyware? Spyware is basically any kind of software that gets installed on your machine without your knowing it, and tracks your actions on the internet for marketing purposes, or causes your computer to perform tasks that you didn’t request.
You can accidentally get this stuff installed on your computer, by downloading trials and demos of certain programs that have it “bundled”, like a lot of file sharing programs, (a lot, but not all of them) viewing email attachments, or even just visiting certain websites. Sometimes you get lucky and all it does is put a cookie or two on your machine and influence the types of banner ads you see (based on your web surfing habits) or give you a few pop-up ads.
Increasingly, though, companies are getting away with distributing spyware that hijacks your web browser home page, adds unsolicited desktop icons, and pollutes other parts of your web browser, like the screen you see when you hit “search”, and the page you get sent to if you misspell a web address. Instead, all you’ll see are pages of ads. There’s now a new breed of spyware that works like a Trojan Horse virus. Many log your keystrokes, passwords, logins, etc, typed in over a week or so and deliver them to the perpetrator. This is so serious that my antivirus program even catches this spyware. If you let this happen to you, you’re leaving yourself open to some serious, serious privacy violations, not to mention likely fraud or identity theft.
Probably the most serious kind of spyware of all, however, affects your email programs. Some will send out a solicitation email to every person in your address book and “sent” items folder. Some spyware just tacks an annoying advertisement onto every email you send out. And these aren’t the kinds of solicitations you would want any association with, either. This kind of stuff is the most serious of all, in my opinion. How would you like to have your boss get an email from you telling him to visit a distasteful porn site?
You can probably see by now that getting good spyware protection is more important than anything else. Viruses aren’t really a huge deal anymore, because most people have some kind of antivirus programs, and viruses just aren’t produced and distributed as much as they used to be. But the problem is, even the best antivirus software out there still doesn’t take care of spyware; it’s a different classification.
One of the main reasons spyware is so widespread is that it’s mainly all still legal. Viruses aren’t as much of a problem anymore because the people who start them almost always get tracked down, and sent to jail. But with spyware, most of what these components do isn’t really malicious. You’d have to prove some kind of harm. So you saw a few ads. The case could often be made that you initiated whatever process got it on your machine anyway.
Anyone who tries to commit fraud against you by using spyware also won’t really be doing it out in the open, so they probably won’t get caught. It makes more sense to just get some good spyware protection and keep this from happening in the first place.
Two of the better programs out there meant to deal with this are Adaware and Spysweeper. I use both, but from what I’ve seen, Spysweeper seems to detect more different pieces of spyware that get on my system.
Also, while they’re meant to complement one another, one feature Spysweeper has that Adaware doesn’t is that it watches specific components of Windows for you, like your “Startup” programs, web browser “favorites” and your browser homepage. All changes get reported to you. You decide right then and there if you want to let it happen.
Adaware has a similar system, but lets you set it to deal with, and prevent any such changes to your system, without even asking you. It’s like having your own digital bodyguard, watching your computer for you while you’re free to surf.
If you’re serious about your PC’s security and your privacy on the internet, spyware protection is not an option, it’s a must!
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Spyware is the cyber-equivalent of a peeping Tom. No one would think of sitting by while someone hide in the bushes watching their every move, so why do so many allow spyware snoops to moniter them online? In some cases the answer is simple. They may not even know that they are being watched.
Spyware comes in all shapes and sizes. It can simply be annoying or it can be downright dangerous. The more worrisome varieties of spyware can:
1. Slow down your system
2. Crash your PC
3. Log your keystrokes
4. Log your email
5. Log your chat sessions
6. Steal credit card details
7. Capture passwords
8. Screen capture your display
9. Collect personal data
10. Collect financial information
What is the Purpose of Spyware?
There are many different parties who may want to collect your personal, financial, or sensitive information and there are several reasons why they might want to have it. Usually spyware users are:
1. Marketing Companies - They gather data from your PC about which sites you visit, which products you purchase, and details about the email that you send.
2. Family Members - Even your own loved ones may be monitoring your activity. Parents can use spyware to keep tabs on the sites that their children frequent and suspicious spouses could easily use spyware to track their mates activity online.
3. Roommates - Roommates are also possible spyware users. For example, when students enter college they must cohabitant with people that they don’t even know. One of those people could easily be an unscrupulous person who is gathering important information with spyware.
4. Employers - Many employers, concerned about employees wasting time online, have installed snoopware on company computers. This software is designed to moniter both online and email activity. Your employer, therefore, could be monitoring you and judging you based not on your work performance, but rather on the content of your email and the sites that you visit while at work.
5. Crime Organizations - Thieves and all sorts of nefarious sorts use spyware everyday to collect credit card details, social security numbers, passwords, etc. They then use this information to steal your identity and, in the process, make a considerable amount of money while ruining your credit and your reputation.
6. Identity Thieves - Spyware is a vital tool in an identiy thefts arsenal. It allows them to gather detailed information that they can then use to masquerade as you.
Is There More Than One Type of Spyware?
Spyware is just a broad term for a variety of different programs. A few of the more common forms of spyware include:
1. Adware - Those annoying pop-ups ads that plaster your screen fall into the category of adware. Adware also refers to any advertiser supported program. In order to display ads that are targeted to your interests your activity is monitored and, based on your habits, you are shown ads that should be of interest to you. Adware also puts a strain on your system resources because it must connect to a remote server in order to communicate your personal information with whomever is monitering you.
2. Keystroke Loggers - This type of spyware logs everything that you type. Whether that is a personal note, a password, or a credit card number. Anything and everything that you type is captured and forwarded to the person watching your activity.
3. Browser Hijackers - This form of spyware will commonly change your home page to a so-called search page that is filled with less-than-useful pay-per-click results. This flavor of spyware also logs the URLs that you visit.
4. Snoopware - This variety of spyware can monitor a PC user’s every action. In addition, these programs were specifically designed to go undetected by the person being monitored. Snoopware used to be primarily found only in the workplace, but, as snoopware became more affordable, its usage grew. Employers, suspicious spouses, coworkers, parents, and strangers are just a few of the people that may unleash snoopware on your system.
How Spyware Invades Your System Without Warning
The sad fact is that you have probably installed a very malicious spyware program on your computer without even realizing it. Your system may been infected with spyware if you have ever downloaded:
1. File-sharing programs
2. Freeware
3. Shareware
4. Music
5. Games
6. Screensavers
7. Video clips
8. Pictures
Even some programs that can be purchased in stores contain spyware.
Spy(ware Detection) vs. Spy(ware)
It would be virtually impossible to prevent spyware on your own. Even the most hyper-vigilant defense would most likely let spyware slip through the cracks. The only way to absolutely ensure that your system is protected is to monitor your computer with spyware prevention and removel software.
A firewall is another invaluable resource that should be used in conjunction with a spyware prevention and removal program. The firewall monitors your PC’s Internet connection and shields it from unwanted actions by third-parties. In doing this it prevents spyware from connecting with remote sites without your permission.
Once spyware infiltrates your system it can be quite a chore to remove. Uninstalling the program that was bundled with the spyware won’t do it. That will only remove the main application from your system, while the spyware application remains. After spyware has entered your computer your best course of action is to install a spyware prevention and removal program. In addition to preventing spyware infection these programs will also remove the spyware that has already infected your system.
About the Author
Heather Wallace is a writer whose work has been published in national, regional, and online publications. Additionally, she has written articles as a newspaper correspondent. Visit http://www.fetchingsites.com/SpywareIntel.html to run a free spyware detection scan on your computer.
Tags: spyware,adware,malware,trojan,ad-ware,antispyware,
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