Tech Shout!

A government report based on a survey was published and stated that one in ten British users was a victim of online fraud in 2006. The survey was conducted and devised by Get Safe Online together with the BBC News web site. The report based on the survey has been titled Internet Safety: The State of the Nation.

The report stated that the 3.5 million people who experienced online fraud lost an average of £875. Many of these victims had failed to take basic precautions, which included installing up to date Internet security software of using different passwords for different sites.

In spite of growing concerns about Internet security, fewer than half the 2,441 people surveyed believed that they were responsible for their own safety online. Most claimed that banks, stores or Internet companies were responsible for stopping fraudsters.

The report stated that 12 per cent of Internet users had experienced fraud in 2006. Six per cent of the users were victims of fraud shopping online, while four per cent were victim of bank account or credit card fraud.

In fact, it can be derived that this rise in fraud reflects the increasing use of the Internet in Britain. The report also found that 93 per cent of people with access to the Internet used it daily, spending an average of £1,044 per year on goods and services.

The Internet Safety report found that many people were leaving themselves op[en and vulnerable to fraud. The typical Internet user has an average of nine passwords to sites that include online banking, social networks and internet shopping. However, five per cent admitted that they used one password for all sites, while 60 per cent said that some passwords were the same.

Around 45 per cent said that they passwords were made up of only real words, which happen to be the easiest fir criminals to crack. A quarter of people said they did not have anti-spam software. Then again, one in five people said that they had replied to spam and junk emails.

According to Get Safe online, replying to spam is a huge mistake as it confirms that your email address is active.

“The Internet is a fantastic resource and its use is growing daily. Unfortunately, it is now also being used by criminals who are out to defraud us,” said Tony Neate, the managing director of Get Safe Online.