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SOFTWARE INDUSTRY NEWS |
Computer users susceptible to blackmail - Avira research |
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IT security company Avira, as part of its May 2010 survey on website free-av.com, asked 2,917 participants if they would have to pay a ransom in case of a loss or kidnapping of their data. The survey's results are enlightening, given that quite a few users aren’t very concerned and would easily fall victim to blackmail. However, most of the respondents did not have to worry about extortion because they regularly backed up their data.  Around 16 percent of the surfers (496) admitted they save photos, data and personal files on their PCs but do not create regular backups. In this scenario, if a data disaster or outbreak of a blackmail Trojan were to happen, all personal information, photos and addresses would be at risk. A ransom Trojan and a possible loss of files would catch them unprepared and cause them serious damage. Hence, they confess, they would be ready to pay a high amount to reclaim possession of the data. The survey highlighted an alarming 8 percent (233) users that have already fallen victim to this type of data theft and had to pay a ransom. Blackmail Trojans, says Avira, sneak just as easily onto PCs as any other malware, though it strongly recommends that if attacked and blackmailed to pay for data, users should not do it under any circumstances. Avira says this form of attack typically directs the victim to a website that harvests credit card information, which causes further financial losses to the victim as this data is often sold to third parties. Moreover, victims should report the blackmail to police and take general precautions, including regular backups on an external hard drive and utilizing a complete antivirus solution that also detects and eliminate Trojans, the company opines. Apparently, the best insurance against data loss is an effective IT security solution combined with regular backups. The survey also revealed that around a third of the respondents (968) took greater care of their files, prudently saving their data regularly. Twenty five percent (739) of respondents actually only use their computers for surfing and do not keep important files on them – Avira says an attempt to blackmail would not affect these users at all. Moreover, 18 percent (518) of the surfers said they could survive data loss since they don’t store personal data on their PCs. |
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