Today’s internet surfers are feeling lucky in love with seven in 10 adults reporting that the internet improves their relationships, according to the second annual worldwide Norton Online Living Report. But it’s not all happy connections and relationships.
Despite the fact that 99 per cent of adults feel they take steps to be secure, this year’s report found that many consumers are not fully protected as they flirt, share and make friends online. While the average consumer is aware of the need for internet security, some do not run virus scans or have adequate protection today’s threats.
So you think you’re secure?
Even more troubling, two in 10 adults worldwide do not use any security software at all. Adults in India rank the highest when it comes to not having the basic security measures. Altogether 33 per cent of adults in India do not have security software.
This is especially surprising given that nearly half of online adults have experienced the pain of a hard drive crash and one-third have lost valuable content such as music, photos, videos and financial documents. Even so, an overwhelming nine in 10 adults and youth agree that the benefits of the internet outweigh the risks.
Though a whopping 99 per cent of adults worldwide say they have taken steps to secure their personal information, yet unsafe surfing, dangerous habits and hacked computers are alarmingly common. Half of online adults knowingly visit un-trusted web sites, do not back up their data and use unsafe passwords. One in three report having actually been hacked.
According to Gaurav Kanwal, country sales manager, India- consumer products and solutions, Symantec, “While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, people need to be mindful of the dangers. Especially for parents, it is not just about security precautions, it’s also about staying in tune with your kids-both online and offline.”
“The internet has become a regular part of our daily lives, creating a myriad of opportunities for people to connect with each other. In India we have witnessed a frenzy of online activity via social networking – from rediscovering cousins across the world, to virtually “friending” friends and acquaintances and even rekindling old flames,” Kanwal said.
On the rise in installations of security software in India, Kanwal said, “Symantec has been listening to users of security software, identifying their priorities and better understanding what they need. As a global leader in providing security, storage and systems management solutions, we take our responsibility of helping consumers secure and manage their information very seriously.”
“With the emergence of the online lifestyle-bill payment, stock trading, shopping, gaming and social networking-we see new threats targeted at individuals and believe that education is the key. Users need to be savvy and aware of the number of real risks that exist in the online world. When you play in a connected world, it is imperative to be prepared for the growing number of threats that are out there today, and the first step users can take is to get a Free Virus Scan,” Kanwal stated.
Can technology buy you love?
Seven in 10 adults say that the internet has improved their relationships. And it is no wonder: people have an average of 41 online friends, 49 per cent have a social networking page, and 25 per cent even share secrets online. In fact, the internet has become such a central vehicle for communication and connection that six in 10 adults say they could not live without it.
One of the clear benefits of technology is its ability to connect (or re-connect) people far and wide. We are making more and more of our friends through the Internet, and blurring the line between the virtual world and physical world.
Males tend to have more online friends than females do. Three in four have gone on to meet someone in person whom they originally met online. In India 83 per cent of people are most likely to make friends online, and 37 per cent of online adults are using the Internet to rekindle a romantic relationship.
Do you know where your kids are…online?
Unfortunately, when it comes to the eternal worry – do you know where your kids are? – the answer is: not always. Parents are in the dark, with kids reporting spending nearly twice as much time online as their parents think.
Last year’s report found that one in five kids admitted to looking at or doing things online that they knew their parents wouldn’t condone. This year they got caught, with one in five kids getting nabbed by parents for unapproved online behavior.
The good news is that 90 per cent of parents recognize their responsibility to protect kids online and are initiating more dialogue on the topic – 20 per cent more than last year. Some kids are even opening the door and closing the online generation gap: 25 per cent are “friending” their parents online and 14 per cent are using technologies like IM and social networking to link to their grandparents.
One in three online kids are more willing to communicate with their family about touchy subjects online than on the phone or in person. This percentage almost triples in India (59 per cent). Altogether 91 per cent of parents in India say it is their responsibility to keep their kids safe online.
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