Brits Feel Unsafe on Social Networks yet Still Admit to ‘Over-sharing’ Info

Most of us (73 per cent of Europeans) now use more than one device to access social networks, even though an overwhelming three quarters consider social media to be unsafe, according to Kaspersky Lab.  Its international survey [i]  of consumers found that as many as 17 per cent of Brits confess to “sharing more than I probably should” on social media, leaving them at risk of losing valuable personal data to cyber criminals intent on identity theft and other crimes. A growing social s ecurity risk is individual account hacking and then targeting the personal data of the victim’s contacts. Four in ten Brits (38 per cent) can’t tell when an online friend’s account has been hacked – so it is not surprising that one in six (14 per cent) has been stung into clicking on a dangerous link in a hacked account.  Without adequate protection, the more you post, the more vulnerable you are.

“The average household in Western Europe has more than five internet-connected devices, including two smartphones or tablets, and these mobile devices have become the new standard tool for browsing, interacting and shopping online,” said David Emm, senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab. “However, despite using these devices to access the same internet as traditional computers, many users don’t think they require the same fully-fledged protection. Mobile devices – especially those without security protection – are increasingly attractive targets for online criminals.”

In response to the growing risk, Kaspersky Lab is launching a new multi-device version of Kaspersky Internet Security. The security software provides real-time protection for multiple Windows PCs, Macs, and Android smartphones and tablets, all with a single licence. Users can apply the award-winning Kaspersky Lab security to any combination of devices.

Key features of Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device include: Safe Money, Automatic Exploit Prevention (to stop the criminals reaching you through weaknesses in popular programmes), ZETA Shield (designed to scan incoming emails and the attachments they contain) and a ‘Trusted Applications’ mode, to protect financial and personal data on all internet-connected devices.

“Without protection, PCs, Macs, tablets and smartphones are all susceptible to internet threats. Tablets and smartphones in particular, being small and lightweight, are the most vulnerable to loss and theft – along with the personal data stored on them,” says Emm. “With award-winning Kaspersky Lab technologies, Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device optimises security for each device, providing real-time protection against all internet threats. Whichever device users choose to bank, shop, surf or chat online, Kaspersky security technologies will keep them safe.”

Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device is available in three, and five-device versions and will be available at http://www.kaspersky.co.uk from 10th September 2013 at £49.99 (three-device) and £59.99 (five-device).

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