Despite
being aware of numerous risks thanks to (online security
leaders) like Trust Guard,
the Microsoft Computing Safety Index (MCSI) shows that most people are not
doing much to improve the safety of their online PC or mobile device habits.
You know to keep your firewall on at all
times on your laptop or desktop and to keep your antivirus and antispyware
software updated, to run them and to keep automatic updates on. On your mobile
device, these basics are similar, such as running a mobile anti-virus,
installing software updates immediately upon release, and using a PIN or
password to lock your device. If someone quizzed you on these online safety
basics, then you should score a perfect 100. Right?
According to the second annual MCSI, more
than 10,000 PC, smartphone and tablet users in the United States scored an average
of 36. Want to take the test, to prove your knowledge of online safety and
security is better than average? Click here: https://survey2.securestudies.com/wix/p122560761.aspx
Overall, the global MCSI score indicates
that "despite greater awareness of risks and increased focus on privacy,
consumers have maintained the same online safety habits and still have room to
improve their proactive, protective measures."
The MCSI global mobile safety score was slightly better than the USA’s
score, at 40. Still, in any school I’ve ever attended, 40% is failing. Like the
PC online safety assessment, the mobile survey included three tiers of
activity: foundational, technical and behavioral basics. On mobile devices, the
technical tools include turning off location tracking, selectively sharing
information, reviewing social media location and privacy settings, not using
open Wi-Fi connections for mobile, and downloading apps only from trusted sources.
Behavioral safety to combat socially engineered risks include being social
savvy and selective about who you text, what you text and to whom you give out
your personal phone number, physically not leaving your mobile device where
someone could compromise it, and avoid clicking on "dubious links or
ads."
The U.S. scored 39 on the Microsoft Mobile
Safety Index. The highest MMSI totals were Indonesia with 48.7, Mexico with
48.1, Brazil with 45.3, Turkey with 44.9, and Belgium with 44.6. Japan, Korea
and Spain are the least vigilant about mobile device security. Not one country
averaged a score of 50 on either PC or mobile online safety.
Unfortunately,
Trust Guard has found that what really drives people to action
is for something really bad happening to them – like getting hacked or getting
their identity stolen.
What is mind-boggling
is that consumer concerns about the online risks they are facing are a little
bit contradictory to their actions when it comes to online safety. 55% say
there are encountering these multiple risks, but what are they really doing on
a proactive basis to take the necessary precautionary steps? Oddly enough, it's
only 16% that say they are taking the proactive steps needed to help protect
themselves online.
Hopefully by
next years survey, those who know better will protect themselves better and
those who do not yet know will learn how to protect themselves from hackers and
identity theft.
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