Is Windows Security Actually Secure? - Other Findings
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Identity fraud is at the top of the list for many Americans when it comes to their fears. Having your identity stolen is a horrible, stressful thing to go through, and exposing your personal information online puts you at high risk.
Many of the findings in Symantec’s threat report pertain to identity fraud. For example, it has been found that nearly 80 percent of confidential information threats exposed user data and 76 percent used keystroke-logging to steal data like banking account credentials.
Also, twelve percent of all data breaches exposed credit card information, which is the most popular item for sale in the underground economy. Credit card data can range in price from 6 cents to $30, while bank account credentials range from $10 to $1,000 and e-mail accounts from 10 cents to $100. Most of the stolen credit card data for sale is from the United States.
Most data breaches that could lead to identity fraud were in the education sector, while the financial sector was the top industry for identities exposed. Theft or loss of equipment accounted for nearly half of data breaches that could lead to identity fraud and for 66 percent of identities exposed.
What Users Can Do
It’s obviously a shame that you must be cautions while surfing the web from the privacy of your own home, but in this day and age it’s become necessary to be as cautious as possible, especially when it comes to your personal information. Using Windows Security options, such as Norton, is a good place to start.
As we’ve learned, visiting trusted websites can sometimes be unsafe, but it’s important to just keep an eye out for anything unusual. If you receive unsolicited e–mails requesting personal or financial information, report them immediately. Also, being in the know about current online vulnerabilities will assist you in being able to detect anything unusual while online.
Symantec facilitates the “BugTraq,” which is a popular mailing list and forum for the disclosure and discussion of vulnerabilities on the Internet. The newsletter has approximately 50,000 subscribers who contribute, receive, and discuss vulnerability research on a daily basis.
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