20% Indians are victims of Phishing Attacks, reports Microsoft

In support of international Safer Internet Day (SID) on February 11, Microsoft has released the results of the third annual Microsoft Computing Safer Index (MCSI) that reveals impact of poor online safety behaviour.

According to the MCSI survey, the annual worldwide impact of phishing and various forms of identity theft could be as high as US$5 billion, with the cost of repairing damage to peoples’ online reputation higher yet at nearly US$6 billion, or an estimated average of US$632 per loss.          

Prakash Kumar, National Technology Officer, Microsoft India, said, “The Internet touches our lives every day, whether we are communicating with loved ones, for work, shopping, and paying bills. But how cautious are we about monitoring our online presence, and taking note of our own vulnerabilities? There are many things you can do to stay safer online. What is needed is to do just one thing, and we can all be much safer, together. Go to our website to share your one thing. Tell the world that you are committed to helping keep the Internet safer and more secure. And once you do, you will be part of that positive change.”

Globally, only 34 per cent said they limit what strangers see on social networks and the amount of personal information online, while 38 per cent said they adjust their social network privacy settings. And, only 35 per cent use a PIN (personal identification number) or password to lock their mobile device.