consumer

consumer

An internet security paradox

Posted on March 31, 2008 - 13:22 by egeorge

This morning, StopBadware released the results of a recent poll we commissioned through Zogby on internet users' attitudes about their safety online.

From our release:

... 88 percent of Internet users feel safe when using personal computers to access the Internet. Furthermore, 84 percent agree that they have the information and tools needed to make good decisions to protect their privacy and security online.

This confidence in online safety is unfortunately not borne out by other research, such as a recent study by McAfee and the National Cyber Security Alliance that just 24 percent of Americans are adequately protected by firewalls and updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

StopBadware manager Maxim Weinstein calls the results an "internet security paradox." Weinstein will be testifying about this and related issues tomorrow, at a Federal Trade Commission hearing on consumer education about internet threats.

"Trends in Badware 2007" released

Posted on October 2, 2007 - 09:57 by egeorge

StopBadware is proud to release our 2007 update on the state of badware on the web - "Trends in Badware 2007: What internet users need to know." The short report is a plain-English explanation of badware threats to user privacy and security, based on our research over the past year. It explains online security issues such as compromised websites, social networking scams, and other badware trends that pose significant risk to the average internet user.

For many visitors to StopBadware.org, threats such as legitimate websites that have been hacked to distribute badware may not be news. We're hoping our security-conscious visitors will help us spread the word to those who aren't yet aware of the dangers. "Trends in Badware" is written with nontechnical internet users in mind - folks who love using the internet, but who may not yet have learned about newer badware threats.

As StopBadware's co-director John Palfrey says in our press release, "Now, users can get infected by simply browsing a reputable website or clicking on links posted to their favorite blogs or social networks. We want to make sure that consumers have up-to-date information on emerging trends so they know what to look for when online."

StopBadware's mission is to help educate consumers and average internet users about badware, and to help the community fight back. We hope that "Trends in Badware 2007" can help clear the fog around online dangers and empower ordinary internet users to take charge of their computers' security.

You can download "Trends in Badware 2007" here.