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Social
Networking May Be Hazardous
By Terry Kibiloski
  
More than one in two (53 percent) Americans are
concerned about security threats when using social networking sites such as
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, yet 64 percent state factors such as viruses or
unlawful access to personal information do not cause them to avoid using these
types of services. The trend was uncovered by a recent survey conducted on
behalf of Internet security and care provider Radialpoint, by Internet research
firm iTracks. The survey, commissioned for Cyber Security Awareness Month,
polled a sample of more than 1,500 respondents across the United States and
identified similar opinions toward other Internet activities such as banking and
shopping.
• Approximately 61 percent of respondents had security concerns while banking
online, yet 74 percent indicated they would continue banking online regardless.
• More than 67 percent of respondents indicated they had security concerns
with shopping online, yet 78 percent of those respondents continued the
activity.
• When asked about downloading music and videos, 56 percent of respondents
expressed security concerns, and 68 percent of those respondents indicated they
would continue participating in the activity.
“This is a concerning revelation as online security threats are constantly
evolving and becoming increasingly more sophisticated,” said Hamnett Hill, CEO,
Radialpoint. “As October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, this is an ideal
time for home computer users to start being mindful of their online activities
and begin taking the appropriate steps to secure their systems, rather than
continue turning a blind eye to potential online threats.”
Overall, 85 percent of respondents indicated a security concern with at least
one common online activity including: online banking, shopping online,
downloading music or videos, downloading update files or applications from
pop-up windows, participating in social networking sites, uploading photos or
videos to websites like YouTube and Flickr, filling out personal information
online, using instant messaging services like Windows Live Messenger or AIM,
visiting a website, and opening email attachments. The biggest concerns
expressed by respondents were:
• Unlawful access to their personal information (77%)
• Downloading a virus (68%)
• Being infected with adware (64%)
“The fact that the majority of people are concerned about online threats
indicates they either don’t have confidence in their security software or their
security software is not designed to handle the multitude of threats on the
Internet,” said Hill. “The main reason personal computers become susceptible to
online threats is because their security software effectively blocks some, but
not all online dangers. Computer users don’t have to be concerned about common
online threats such as viruses, malware, adware or unlawful access to their
personal information if they have adequate and updated all-in-one protection.”
An all-in-one security solution would include at least five anti-threat measures
including anti-virus, anti-spyware, Internet firewall, anti-adware and fraud
protection. The survey revealed that the majority of respondents had one or more
of these software solutions installed on their PCs, but that only 43 percent of
respondents had all five installed, indicating 57 percent of American’s are not
optimally protected from online security threats.
Radialpoint security solutions are currently available in the U.S. from Verizon.
For more information on the Verizon Internet Security Suite, please visit:
http://www22.verizon.com/
About Radialpoint Security Services
Radialpoint Security Services (RPS) is a comprehensive home PC security solution
delivered through Radialpoint’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) partners
worldwide. RPS provides industry-leading Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Firewall and
Fraud-Protection services at its core, with additional Parental Controls, PC
Optimizer, Pop-Up/Ad Blocker, Privacy Manager, and Back-up services to complete
the suite. Designed for the everyday user, RPS greatly simplifies the experience
of accessing and using security, which are still the major barriers to consumer
protection online. RPS significantly reduces the burden on user and their PCs by
automating critical malware updates at three hour intervals, and imposing the
minimum impact on computer speed and performance. With a larger base of
better-protected subscribers, Radialpoint’s ISP partners enjoy lower support
calls, higher customer satisfaction, positive brand association, and reduced
customer churn. RPS powers the branded security offerings of world-leading ISPs
including Verizon, Virgin Media, AT&T/BellSouth, Bell Canada, TELUS, Vidéotron
and Bell Aliant.
About Radialpoint
Radialpoint is a leading provider of managed Internet security and care services
for Internet service providers (ISPs). Its Value Added Services (VAS) are
currently available to over 20 million broadband subscribers worldwide.
Radialpoint's Services and Managed VAS Platform enable ISPs to generate new
revenue and significantly lower operational costs associated with supporting and
bringing new Internet services to market. Its customers include Bell Aliant,
Bell Canada, TELUS and Vidéotron in Canada; AT&T/ BellSouth and Verizon in the
US; and, ONO, and Virgin Media in Europe. Radialpoint is headquartered in
Montreal, Canada, with offices in Europe.
For more information, visit
http://www.radialpoint.com/.
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