New McAfee Survey Reveals Only 42 Percent of Consumers Take Proper Security Measures to Protect Their New Gadgets
November 21 2016 - 12:01AM
Business Wire
Streaming Sticks, Drones and Smart Home
Products Top List of Devices that Can Compromise Consumers’
Security if Left Unprotected
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
- Survey reveals 84 percent of consumers
will likely holiday shop online this year.
- Holiday season brings new gifts, and
while 79 percent of consumers start using connected devices within
the first day of receiving it, only 42 percent claim they take the
proper security measures.
- Consumers know it’s important to secure
their devices, but nearly half (47 percent) are uncertain whether
they are taking the proper security steps to do so.
Today Intel Security announced its second annual McAfee Most
Hackable Holiday Gifts list to identify potential security risks
associated with hot-ticket items this holiday season. The No. 1
most hackable gift category included laptops and PCs, followed by
smartphones and tablets, media players and streaming sticks, smart
home automation and devices, and finally, drones. To accompany the
list, Intel Security conducted a survey to identify the risky
behaviors consumers are engaging in during the holiday season and
educate them on how to protect themselves.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161120005023/en/
'Tis the Season for Hackable Gifts
(Infographic from McAfee)
Today’s digital world is changing fast, and our reliance on the
internet is ever increasing. The recent distributed denial of
service (DDoS) attack was carried out by a botnet made up of
unsecured webcams and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and
crippled many popular websites connected to the Dyn domain. It’s
important that consumers understand they can help fight these
attacks by ensuring their devices are updated and patched, which
helps mitigate risks from the latest threats.
“Unsurprisingly, connected devices remain high on holiday wish
lists this year. What is alarming is that consumers remain unaware
of what behaviors pose a security risk when it comes to new
devices,” said Gary Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at
Intel Security. “Consumers are often eager to use their new gadget
as soon as they get it and forgo ensuring that their device is
properly secured. Cybercriminals could use this lack of attention
as an inroad to gather personal consumer data, exposing consumers
to malware or identity theft or even use unsecured devices to
launch DDoS attacks as in the recent Dyn attack.”
While a majority of consumers are aware of the vulnerabilities
in older connected devices like laptops (76 percent), mobile phones
(70 percent) and tablets (69 percent), they lack awareness about
the potential risks associated with emerging connected devices,
such as drones (20 percent), children’s toys (15 percent), virtual
reality tech (15 percent) and pet gifts (11 percent). As technology
continues to evolve, it is essential consumers understand the risks
associated with even the most unassuming devices. While 81 percent
of consumers believe it’s very important to secure their online
identities and connected devices, nearly half are uncertain if they
are taking the proper security steps.
This Year’s Most Hackable Holiday Gifts Include:
1. Laptops and PCs – Laptops and PCs
make great gifts, however, malicious apps targeting PCs are
unfortunately common, and are not just limited to Windows-based
devices.
2. Smartphones and Tablets – Survey
results revealed that 52 percent of consumers plan to purchase
either a smartphone or tablet this holiday season. Just like PCs
and laptops, malware could result in personal and financial
information being stolen.
3. Media Players and Streaming Sticks
– Media players and streaming sticks have changed the way
consumers enjoy movies and TV, but consumers can unknowingly invite
a cybercriminal into their living room by failing to update their
device.
4. Smart Home Automation Devices and Apps
– Today’s connected home devices and apps give users the power
to control their homes from their smartphone. Unfortunately,
hackers have demonstrated techniques that could be used to
compromise Bluetooth-powered door locks and other home automation
devices.
5. Drones – Drone sales are expected
to grow to more than $20 billion by 2022. They can provide unique
perspectives when it comes to shooting video and photos. However,
not properly securing the device could allow hackers to disrupt the
GPS signal or hijack your drone through its smartphone app.
Tips for Consumers to Protect Holiday Cheer
To stay protected for a happier and safer holiday season, Intel
Security has the following tips:
- Secure your device. Your device
is the key to controlling your home and your personal information.
Make sure you have comprehensive security software installed, like
McAfee LiveSafe™.
- Only use secure Wi-Fi. Using
your devices, such as your smart home applications, on public Wi-Fi
could leave you and your home open to risk.
- Keep software up-to-date. Apply
patches as they are released from the manufacturer. Install
manufacturer updates right away to ensure that your device is
protected from the latest known threats.
- Use a strong password or PIN. If
your device supports it, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), as
it can include factors like a trusted device, your face,
fingerprint, etc. to make your login more secure.
- Check before you click. Be
suspicious of links from people you do not know and always use
internet security software to stay protected. Hover over the link
to find a full URL of the link’s destination in the lower corner of
your browser.
Find More Information:
- To learn more about the list and
survey, check out:
- Blog post from Gary Davis:
https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/most-hackable-gifts-2016Twitter:
Follow @IntelSecurity for live online safety updates and tips. Use
hashtag #safeholiday to discuss the Most Hackable Gifts of
2016.
Survey Methodology
In September 2016, Intel Security commissioned OnePoll to
conduct a survey of 9,800 consumers (aged 18-55+). Respondents were
individuals who use an internet-enabled device on a daily basis in
the following countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S.
About Intel Security
Intel Security, with its McAfee product line, is dedicated to
making the digital world safer and more secure for everyone. Intel
Security is a division of Intel Corporation. Learn more
at www.intelsecurity.com.
Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in
the United States and other countries.
Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by
Intel Corporation under license.
*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of
others.
No computer system can be absolutely secure
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161120005023/en/
Intel CorporationCraig Sirois,
214-405-2335craig.sirois@intel.comorZeno GroupAshley Dolezal,
650-801-0931ashley.dolezal@zenogroup.com
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