Multiple research studies from Kaspersky Lab in the UAE show that more and more netizens fall prey to online crooks because of not being aware of online risks.
In an attempt to protect their privacy, around 25 per cent admit that they cover up their webcam—the studies show. Useful in itself, it’s important to recognise, however, that covering a webcam cannot prevent audio interception and protect users from being listened to by hackers or malicious groups.
Nearly 31 per cent store their sensitive data on devices that have no Internet access, mistakenly thinking that this will guarantee the protection of their data.
However, although this theory is grounded in logic, and is essential for securing backup data from the effects of a ransomware attack, even without an Internet connection it is possible for a device to be infected via a connected smartphone or USB stick.
Nearly 17 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they try to avoid using popular websites like Google and Facebook because of the personal information they gather, despite the fact that it is normal practice for almost all websites to track users and collect some user data today.
“These findings demonstrate two extremes – one the one hand there are people who think they can keep their data safe by, for example, hiding their computers; but on the other hand there are still those who are simply not taking the necessary precautions online. People need to become more cyber-savvy, without having to go to the extreme lengths of hiding a computer,” David Emm, Principal Security Researcher from Kaspersky Lab said.
