Shoppers risk it online

Hunting season arrives for hackers, says Kaspersky Lab

Consumers are determined to avoid the high street stampede this Christmas by shopping online, despite a spate of recent security attacks, according to research from security vendor Kaspersky Lab.

The survey says 85 per cent of respondents plan to buy some of their Christmas presents from online shopping sites – and one-third plan to do so despite claiming that their PC has been compromised by a hacking attack in the last six months.

David Emm, senior technology consultant, Kaspersky Lab, said: 'Hackers will be very aware that more online transactions are conducted in the run up to Christmas than at any other time of the year, and that huge numbers of people are disclosing their personal details online. Unfortunately, this makes it hunting season for hackers.'

Of those who did report a security breach on their PC, more than two-thirds (69 per cent) claimed that malicious spyware code, favoured by cyber-criminals to surreptitiously steal PC users’ personal details, was responsible.

The survey also reveals, however, that some people are taking security concerns very seriously and are taking no chances. Of those who said they won’t be shopping online this Christmas, forty per cent said that they won’t be using the Internet to buy gifts for fear of having their personal data stolen.

What do you think? Email us at [email protected]