Microsoft has released the
results of the third annual Microsoft Computing Safer Index (MCSI) that
reveals impact of poor online safety precautions being taken.
The company surveyed over 10,000 consumers in 20 countries including India. Out
of these 10,000 consumers, 20 percent of Indians had claimed that they
had been victims of online phishing attacks and in a worrying statistic,
12 percent Indians said that they had suffered an identity theft at an
average cost of Rs 7,500.
Surprisingly,
only 34% of respondents around the world said they limit what strangers
see on social networks and the amount of personal information online,
while 38% said they adjust their social network privacy settings, the
survey revealed. It also noted that only 35% of users use a PIN
(personal identification number) or password to lock their mobile
devices.
According to the MCSI
survey, the annual worldwide impact of phishing and various other forms
of identity thefts could be as high as $5 billion. The cost of repairing
online reputation is far higher at around $6 billion or an estimated
average of $632 per loss. “Internet users can prevent intrusions and
thefts by using a unique four-digit PIN for mobile devices and strong
passwords for online accounts,” Microsoft
India National Technology Officer Prakash Kumar said. He advised that
users should perform sensitive transactions over secured networks, which
includes paying bills, banking or shopping.
Finally,
the software giant also issued tips and guidance on the Internet Safety
Day, like using a unique four-digit PIN for mobile devices and strong
passwords for online accounts; performing sensitive transactions over
secured networks like paying bills, banking or shopping, rather than
sharing personal account information over “borrowed” or public wifi
connections among others.
India ranked fourth among countries targeted by phishing attacks as per an EMC Report last year.
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