ESET’s APAC Consumer Cyber Security Survey found that while 62% of 11,200 respondents in the region have experienced a cyber attack or online threat in the past 12 months, only 23% have taken action to install anti-virus software or security apps on their mobile devices.
Furthermore, while online scams have also become common place with two thirds of respondents coming across online shopping, social media and investment scams, more than half trust the security measures by online retailers and would continue shopping with the same retailer even after a data breach, regardless of the security status thereafter.
The survey was conducted earlier this year with respondents from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand and aims to provide a deeper insight on the awareness of basic cyber security threats and best practices of actions online.
Of the seven APAC markets surveyed, respondents from India, Thailand and Taiwan reported the highest incidence of cyber threats with the most common forms attributed to malware or virus attacks, theft of personal data and social media breach or duplication.
“As we continue to navigate challenges from the pandemic, the reliance on digital technology for various aspects of our daily lives will likely spill into the future. Our survey findings suggest that it is now common for internet users to encounter online threats. Therefore, it is critical that consumers are educated about the growing threats and are aware of the steps they can take to protect themselves when conducting online activities,” said Parvinder Walia, President of Asia Pacific and Japan, ESET.
