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Young adults susceptible to cybercrime due to risky online behavior
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By EgovAsia Editors | Apr 27, 2010
Despite being aware of security threats, the risky online behavior of young adults can negatively affect their future career prospects and financial standings, while leaving them vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. This is according to a new survey commissioned by RSA, The Security Division of EMC.
“The irony of these findings is that the generation that has grown up with the greatest percentage of its life knowing technology and the Internet and that claims to know about the risks of technology is the one that is ignoring the good advice,” said Sam Curry, Chief Technologist at RSA.
Research firm, TRU polled more than 1,000 young adults between the ages of 18-24 regarding their online behavior and security precautions, and found that more than seven out of ten admit that they are not always as careful as they should be when posting and accessing information online. The research also reveals that young adults regularly make risky choices when engaging in activities such as file sharing and social networking that can lead to long-lasting negative consequences and result in damage to an individual’s reputation both online and off.
“The rapid growth of technology has far outpaced the security aptitude of everyday users,” said Robert Siciliano, CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com. “What’s worse is that the bad guys are capitalizing on the naïveté of millions of unsuspecting users and getting paid as a result.”
“When you engage in unsafe or risky behavior in the virtual world, those risks can spill over into the physical world. Unlike people – who might forget with time – the Internet has a permanent memory and some members of Generation Y are learning this the hard way,” adds Curry. “Many are aware they are neglecting basic security precautions when participating in online activities, such as social networking, and unfortunately are experiencing malware infection and other negative consequences to their identity and reputation as a result.”
