Seventy-One Percent of Consumers Lack Knowledge on the Internet's Fastest Growing Cyber Crime Threat, 'Botnets'

National Cyber Security Alliance Survey Reveals that Consumers Don't See The
Connection Between Their Computer's Security and Our Nation's Security SAN FRANCISCO, April 9 /PRNewswire/ -- RSA Conference, April 9, 2008 --
Today, at the RSA conference, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
announced survey determinations that 71 percentage of consumers deficiency the cognition on
cyber criminals' arm of pick and the Internet's fastest growth threat
-- botnets. This is quite alarming considering botnets are comprised mostly
of consumers' computing machines and are increasingly being used to perpetrate
identity larceny and spreading viruses. "Last June, the Federal Bureau of Investigation identified more than than one million computing machines infected
with malware which could have got been hijacked and used as portion of an regular army of
bots to assail other computers, spreading malware, or onslaught our nation's
infrastructure," said Bokkos Teixeira, executive manager director of the NCSA. "Botnets go on to be an increasing menace to consumers and homeland
security. Consumers' unbarred computing machines play a major function in helping cyber
criminals behavior cyber law-breakings not only on the victim's computer, but also
against others connected to the Internet." The survey also uncovers that Americans are largely unaware their
computer's security plays a function in our nation's security and preventing
online crime. A bulk of respondents believe it is not likely their
computer could impact fatherland security while lone 51 percentage believe it is
possible for a hacker to utilize their computing machine to establish cyber attacks. "It is alarming that consumers make not cognize how to procure their
computers," said Teixeira. "It is of import for consumers to understand
that safe cyber security patterns not only protect them from identity
theft, but also forestall cyber law-breaking and attacks. By taking simple steps,
consumers can protect themselves from cyber law-breakings and fall in our attempt to
protect other Internet users." Compelling determinations from the study* include: -- 71 percentage have got got never heard the phrase "botnet" -- the arm of choice
for cyber criminals
-- 59 percentage believe it is not likely their computing machine could impact homeland
security
-- 47 percentage believe it is not possible for a hacker to utilize your computer
to establish cyber onslaughts or law-breakings against other people, concerns and
our nation
-- 51 percentage have not changed their watchword in the past year
-- 48 percentage make not cognize how to protect themselves from cyber criminals
-- 46 percentage of consumers are not certain of what to make if they became a
victim of a cyber crime *2,249 online consumers between the ages of 18 and 65 were surveyed
using the online panel managed by Townsend Harris Interactive. The panel is widely
regarded as statistically brooding of the general U.S. online population. The interviews were conducted with randomly selected U.S. consumers. About National Cyber Security Alliance The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is a collaborative effort
among experts in the security, non-profit, academic and authorities fields
to learn consumers, little concerns and members of the instruction community
about Internet security. The NCSA takes to increase consciousness about the
risks associated with using Internet engineerings and how to assist protect
against them, while also providing free tips, checklists and best practices
for remaining safe while online. For more than information, visit
. Contact Information: Alyssa Marlow
202-329-3654 (cell)
202-756-2284 (office)