One of the world’s largest computer security companies is warning that users of mobile devices such as smartphones are oblivious to the risks they are running.

AVG, which is based in Amsterdam and Orlando, says that some 89% of people are also unaware that smartphones actually transit confidential information. This is a worry for all the antivirus software industry.

And when it came to the question of smartphones, the owners of such devices as iPhones and BlackBerry handsets, as well as Android devices, seemed unaware of the capabilities of their devices when it came to the transmission of personal data.

There were three main findings from the report.

Firstly, that nearly 90% that responded to the AVG research report were unaware their smartphone can, without their knowledge, or consent, transmit confidential payment information such as credit card details;

Secondly, that just over 90% did not realise that financial applications which are used on smartphones can become infested with all sorts of malware (some of which can steal personal information such as credit card numbers and online bank usernames and passwords).

Thirdly, that just under 60% didn’t appreciate the fact that not logging off a mobile app properly (especially involved with a social media website), could make them vulnerable to malicious changes in their personal settings and other confidential information.

Other dangers were revealed, including unauthorised premium service orders on monthly bill and geo tracking linked to location data embedded onto image files.

AVG spokesman Dr Larry Ponemon said:
“The findings of this study signal what could be an overlooked security risk for organizations created by employees’ use of smartphones. Because consumers in our study report that they often use smartphones interchangeably for business and personal, organizations should make sure their security policies include guidelines for the appropriate use of smartphones that are used for company purposes.

The CEO of AVG Technologies, Mr Smith said:
“We have increasing responsibility to educate consumers on the dangers lurking in mobile broadband and to help users take ownership of their mobile data security. The mobile internet does not have to be a risky environment, though the industry must work together to encourage users to take action by downloading low-cost or free anti-virus products specifically designed to protect mobile data.”

AVG reckons that smartphone users need to shape up before they start transmitting personal data on their devices.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Internet security giant AVG, based in San Francisco and Amsterdam, had launched an online security audit.

AVG, which is one of the top internet security firms in the world, has introduced what it believes to be the latest and one of the best weapons in the global fight against corporate cybercrime.

It’s known as the AVG Online Security Audit and is a free audit which will provide businesses with help on their security needs, including reports on just what is cybercrime and how it can be beaten on a daily basis.

It is particularly aimed at small to medium sized businesses which AVG reckons are vulnerable to concerted cyber attacks.

According to the company’s own research, they have discovered that nearly 15% of small to medium sized companies don’t even have security software installed, which leaves them wide open to attacks. The research also revealed that 25% of small to medium sized companies have suffered a security breach in the last 12 months.

AVG’s Global Head of Small Business Propositions, Robert Gorby, said:
“Our Online Security Audit is a major step forward in our battle against corporate cybercrime. In line with our bid to help small businesses, we’ve also highlighted five doorways through which cybercriminals can access company data. These doors need to be slammed shut, to prevent businesses from becoming the latest victims of cybercrime.”

AVG’s five doorways through which cyber criminals can pass are as follows:

1. Social Networks (advice, think before you click on site that may well be too familiar);
2. Instant Messages and Spam Chat (beware on instant message files that can contain viruses);
3. Inside Threats (remember that mostly, employees are responsible for letting viruses in, mostly innocently, but guard against malicious attacks from inside the walls);
4. Remote Control, Don’t Lose It (be wary of staff using their own machines on the corporate network, can be easy way to get infected);
5. Beware of Memory Sticks (watch out for threats from removable devices).

There’s little doubt that many small to medium sized businesses will use the AVG online audit to keep themselves safe from cyber attack.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

When it comes to getting the best antivirus software deals for your computer equipment, it might surprise many that when it comes to smartphones, most users, say computer security giant AVG, are not aware of the significant risks involved.

Best antivirus stratagems appear to be focused on desktops and laptops, and smartphones are being overlooked by their owners as just not as vulnerable to cyber hackers.

But AVG reckons that owners of some of the most popular brands of mobile phones – such as BlackBerry and iPhone, and some major operating systems including Android – are in danger of being mugged.

A new survey has just been produced by AVG Technologies and the Ponemon Institute which has shown that over a third of smartphone users just do not realise how much at risk they might be. And the research also revealed that only just under 30% have considered using the best antivirus mobile applications for their personal devices.

A spokesman for AVG Technologies said:
“AVG and Ponemon Institute found that an alarmingly low percentage of smartphone users are aware of the security threats that exist today on many of the world’s most popular devices including Android handsets and the iPhone.

“A clear opportunity exists to better educate consumers on the steps they can take to minimize their risk and exposure, such as downloading low cost and even free anti-virus products specifically geared to protect their mobile lifestyle and investment.”

The research document revealed some very interesting facts, including that 13% of smartphone users said that location data had been unknowingly embedded on their device. This allows others to track a person’s location via their phone. Furthermore, 6% said that mobile applications on their smartphone had actually transmitted such things as credit card details without their consent. And that 8% of users admitted that their handsets had been infected by diallerware, a form of malware. This allows hackers to make a handset dial premium numbers, from which they get a cut.

Dr Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder of the Ponemon Institute, said:
“Our research suggests that smartphone users lack the awareness and knowledge to protect themselves from a rash of security vulnerabilities.”

So the message is quite clear, smartphones need the best antivirus applications, in the same way as desktops and laptops.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

AVG Technologies, developers of the one of the best known antivirus software suites, says that young adults are careless when it comes to protecting their laptops and mobile devices.

Antivirus software leaders AVG lament the lack of passwords when it comes safeguarding their computers from the threats posed by social networking for example. Antivirus software can keep a computer safe from internet threats, including hacking, loss of private information, spam and viruses: without it, computers are left vulnerable. This does not seem to worry young internet users. In the US, UK and Australia, only 48% of 18-25 year olds use passwords whilst on social networking sites.

AVG have already voiced their concern over young users’ vulnerability to ‘status jacking’, a new kind of threat that has proliferated with the use of Facebook and other social networking sites. This happens to a high number of under 25s, and AVG’s campaign to make young people see the dangers and encourage them to do something to actively protect themselves is part of a long running desire to see under 25s take more responsibility whilst using the internet.

As part of their efforts, AVG has run a video to give young people advice on the dangers of status jacking and ways in which they can protect themselves from it; as no video directed at the young can be without a celebrity, AVG booked the UK comedian Holly Burns to feature. The hope is that campaigns such as this will keep more and more young adults safe from status jacking.

Many of the results of a recent survey, conducted by AVG and Research Now, highlighted why AVG have started campaigns such as their one to protect against status jacking. 42% of young people in the UK, and the same percentage in Australia, share their passwords with their friends and family, with the figure at one in three for the US.

Tony Anscombe, Ambassador of Free Products for AVG Technologies, explains: “The fact that most young adults secure their laptops and PCs is positive news, but the most worrying statistic is that four in ten share their passwords, something we do not advise doing.”

Across the genders, the survey found that it is young women who take the most risks with their security measures: 81% of young men password protect their computers, whereas a quarter of women do not.

The survey also revealed that social networking sites are a problem when it comes to accidentally downloading viruses. Social networking sites are a hotbed for viruses and worms: in the UK, 12% of 18-25 years olds have accidentally downloaded a virus whilst on a social working site. The figure in Australia is 15%, and at 9% in the UK.

This research by an antivirus software company underlines a specific age group that find themselves being targeted by internet threats, and finds them wholly unprepared. AVG hopes that their research and following campaigns will help to change this.

Guest Article by Neil Camp 

Major internet security software company AVG Technologies has started a new online campaign to help University students with the threat of status jacking on Facebook.

For all companies in the internet security software sector, coping with the threats on Facebook and other social bookmarking websites has become a key concern. The problem of Facebook status is an age-old problem for users of the website. ‘Status jacking’ comes about by stolen or misplaced account information being used by a friend or a criminal to post embarrassing or personal statuses on someone else’s Facebook.

The campaign began after, research carried out by AVG’s ‘Threat Labs’, highlighted the serious threat social networking sites pose to internet users. AVG Threat Labs found that there were 19,491 compromised web pages on the 50 top global social networking websites. 11,701 of these can be found on Facebook, which still resides as top dog in the social networking hierarchy. Just behind Facebook was YouTube, the popular video sharing website, with 7,163 of the compromised web pages.

It is easy to see why students are the most at risk from having their statuses hijacked on Facebook; Facebook’s majority of members are of the 18-25 age bracket, with the website being popular with this student age group the world over.

Ambassador of Free Tony Anscombe said: “The fact that we found almost 20,000 compromised web pages on the world’s most popular social networking sites should make social media users sit up and take notice. In particular, it is the audience most active on these sites, those under 25 years old who are most at risk. Our campaign will involve further research showing that only a few students take proper social network precautions, as well as a series of informative but also fun, guides and videos.”

Of course, to make matters worse, research also points to another worrying statistic. 18-25 year olds are well established as being the age group least likely to protect themselves against internet security threats; many are sloppy when it comes to keeping their computer’s protected and many simply ignore the dangers altogether. Whereas 23% of internet users are concerned about their security when using the internet (statistics from UK’s Ofcom Communications Market Report), only 15% of 16-24 year olds are as concerned. Privacy has even more dire statistics for this age bracket; only 9% actively care about the threat to their privacy whilst online.

It seems that the new online campaign by AVG is needed, then, to ensure that university students and others of a similar age are given the tools needed to effectively protect themselves whilst using the internet; especially the social networking sites that they so often use. Other internet security software companies will no doubt be looking into similar ideas to try to keep the younger population protected from the potential dangers of the internet.

Guest Article by Neil Camp