MELBOURNE, Australia – 25 October, 2012 – New research reveals Australians are carelessly leaving themselves vulnerable to credit card theft when shopping or banking online.
The findings from Kaspersky Lab reveal over 3.8 million Australians1 have been a victim of credit card fraud or had money taken from their bank account. However, despite the high levels of incidents, two thirds (66%) do not believe their credit card details are at risk of being stolen. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Gen Ys are the most complacent, with 72% unconcerned about online theft.
The figures are released at a time when online shopping is more popular than ever, with almost two thirds (64%) of Australians now making online payments every week. However, despite its popularity, the survey shows we are not as savvy about protecting our money.
Online vs. bricks & mortar
Commissioned to coincide with the launch Kaspersky Lab’s Internet Security 2013, which includes a Safe Money feature to protect people making online payments, the survey showed a glaring difference between how we protect ourselves when shopping online, compared to the real world.
Australians wouldn’t dream of leaving their bag open when shopping (62%) and 67% always cover their PIN at the ATM when taking money out.
However, 74% have kept the same password for six months or longer, and two thirds (65%) use the same password for multiple websites. What’s more, almost a third of us (29%) are using personal details, such a child or partner’s name, as a password. The same details that 27% of us admit to having visible on Facebook.
Kathy Sheeran, Shopping Guru and editor of website, Shopping Confessions, explains, “When you’re in a shopping centre and walking between shops, you’re more attuned to the world around you, so you’re naturally more careful about protecting your bag or wallet.
“However, you may have a false sense of security online and don’t take the same precautions as you might when shopping in a store. Without thinking about our security, a $500 pair of designer shoes might end up costing you thousands.”
Wayne Kirby, Product Specialist for Kaspersky Lab ANZ said, “Keeping the same passwords across multiple websites makes it easy for hackers to obtain your credit card details.
“Kaspersky Lab’s Safe Money technology helps you make payments securely online. It knows which websites are secure, and acts as a cloak of invisibility when shopping online so cyber thieves can’t see your masked browsing session as easily, compared to using the standard methods.”
Safe Online Shopping Tips
Kaspersky Lab has pulled together some helpful tips to help protect your pennies when bagging an online bargain:
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Kaspersky Internet Security 2013 is available from leading retailers, RRP $49.95 as well as online http://www.buykaspersky.com.au/kaspersky-internet-security.html
- 1. Using the latest ABS population estimates to weight the survey data to equate a % of respondents in the survey with the actual number of Australians this is equivalent to
About Kaspersky Lab
Kaspersky Lab is the world’s largest privately held anti-malware company. It delivers some of the world’s most immediate protection against IT security threats, including viruses, spyware, crimeware, hackers, phishing, and spam. Over 400 million people worldwide are protected by Kaspersky Lab products and technologies. Kaspersky Lab’s corporate client-base exceeds 200,000 companies located around the globe, ranging from small and medium-sized businesses, all the way up to large governmental and commercial organisations. With over 2,000 highly qualified specialists Kaspersky Lab has offices in almost every country across the globe. The Kaspersky Lab Australian and New Zealand headquarters is located in the Docklands, Melbourne. Kaspersky Lab Australia and New Zealand has extensive consumer and corporate channels and locally based technical support technicians. Learn more about Kaspersky at: www.kaspersky.com.au and for the latest on anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam and other IT security issues and trends, visit: www.securelist.com.
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