Millions due to ID fraud

Date: March 14, 2007
Source: computing.co.uk


Young people are putting their parents at risk of online fraud and identity theft through their social networking activities, according to a survey conducted by vendor Webroot.

Signing up for new accounts, engaging in IM chat, downloading files, and other activities that expose personal data to spyware, are all cuasing a rise in ID fraud, the survey says.

'Online socialising has rapidly become the new way to network and make friends, yet it is also one of the easier ways to become a victim of malware,' said Peter Watkins, chief executive of Webroot.

'This research report reveals that the younger generation is the least concerned when it comes to security threats such as spyware, Trojans, worms, cookies, adware, phishing and other forms of malicious Internet threats that they might encounter on social networking sites.'

Up to 82 per cent of teens and young adults surveyed visit social networking sites on a daily, weekly or monthly basis and 99 per cent browse the internet.
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