Category: Computer Security
Google Play Protect detects only third of spyware, claims study
According to findings presented by Atlas VPN research team, Android's internal Google Play Protect service detects only 31% of spyware, or stalkerware, attacks. Spyware is a collection of tools (apps or software programs) that enable someone else (such as an abuser) to track and record your phone activity. This implies that the fraudster can collect…
Do You Read Privacy Policies? Here Is Why You Should
Most users understand very little about how companies manage their data. However, almost every netizen has come across companies’ privacy policies one way or the other. With concerns regarding the privacy and security of personal data rising, it’s all the more critical that we all take the time to read them. It's a big-data world…
4 in 5 UK businesses subject to phishing attacks
Lack of cybersecurity in the work-from-home environment has made people more vulnerable to receiving fraudulent phishing emails or being directed to deceiving websites. According to the data presented by the Atlas VPN team, in the past 12 months 83% of UK businesses experienced phishing attacks — an 11% rise in the past four years. Other significant…
1 in 12 IT directors ‘taken hammer to hardware’
A survey of IT Directors has revealed that 8% have taken a hammer to dispose of hardware containing valuable electronic data. Some 12% admit to having submerged devices in water to try and destroy the hardware, and 18% have used drilling to do this. The most popular method is shredding (90% of IT Directors have…
55% of Americans worry more about getting hacked than murdered
72% of US citizens often or sometimes worry about their personal, credit card, or financial information stolen by cybercriminals. 66% of Americans frequently or occasionally dwell on the possibility of being victims of identity theft. Respondents from the US dwell on cybercrime-related offences at least twice as often as on other crimes. As many as…
Report claims Brits ‘surrendering to cybercriminals’
A new study claims that people in the UK are 'surrendering to cybercriminals' as the British Government fails to step in and provide police forces with the skills and resources required to pursue perpetrators. According to The Great Cyber Surrender report, 73% of cybercrime victims did not get in touch with Government organisations that are in place…
Computer takeover scams cost users over £16 million a year
Consumer watchdog Which? is warning of the dangers of fraudsters using computer takeover scams to steal money and personal details from unsuspecting victims, as data shows reported losses reached more than £16 million in the last year. The consumer organisation has heard from people who have lost thousands of pounds to this convincing scam where…
ICO fines Marriott £18.4million for data breach
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has fined Marriott International Inc £18.4million for failing to keep millions of customers’ personal data secure. Marriott estimates that 339 million guest records worldwide were affected following a cyber-attack in 2014 on Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. The attack, from an unknown source, remained undetected until September 2018, by…
Half of UK adults don’t trust online information
Nearly half of UK adults do not trust the integrity of online information, a new survey from VPN provider TunnelBear reveals. The study, which looks at global perspectives on online censorship experiences from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Russia, Norway and Sweden shows large segments of people in each country do not trust the information…
Stressed home workers struggling to switch off during COVID-19 lockdown
Stressed home workers are struggling to switch off during COVID-19 lockdown and it’s impacting their mental health, according to the findings of a new study by cloud communications platform provider, 8x8. Almost half (42%) feel more stressed and overwhelmed than when in the office, blaming too many apps, a blurring of the lines between work…