Security and Privacy Statistics

Most computer users are not aware of the many threats to their personal and corporate information. Below are just some of the alarming statistics on computer crime and data breaches.

Computer crime and breaches of personal information are escalating...

• According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, since 2005 over 230 reported data privacy breaches exposed the personal information records of over 250 million people.
• According to the US Department of Justice's (DOJ) National Crime Victimization Survey, identity theft costs US citizens an estimated US$6.4 billion annually.
• According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, Americans reported $183 million in Internet fraud alone, up 169% from the previous year.

Many users aren't very well trained

• According to a survey by Bentley College, 66% of users employed full or part-time have received no internet security training.
• According to a 2006 report by email security firm Sophos, over 50% of SPAM is sent by remotely controlled computers infected with spyware.
• According to Consumer Reports' 2006 State of the Net report, computer users have a one in three chance of falling prey to viruses, spyware or phishing attacks.

User education is the key!

• Too much data is in the hands of too many people. Technology cannot solve this problem. It is up to us, the users who keep the wheels of progress spinning, to take responsibility for our own safety.

MySecurityIQ is sponsored in part by Information Shield, a leading provider of information security publications, including Information Protection Made Easy - A guide for employees and contracters.