As the number of data breach incidents increases, US consumers are beginning to feel the effect of their personal identities being stolen. Sixty six (66%) percent of 1500 consumers who were surveyed said that they were very worried about a cyber attack and did not know how to respond. Seventy one (71%) percent of respondents said that they received demands for money to recover data that had been encrypted. What steps can be taken to mitigate the risks being experienced as a result of the increase in cyber crime?
More than one-third of U.S. consumers experienced a computer virus, hacking incident or other cyber attack in the past 12 months, a survey by Zogby Analytics for The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) reported today, and young adults 18-24 were the most likely victims. The nationwide survey also found that victims of cyber crimes almost always spent money to recover from the attack, primarily to restore data and purchase software. In 23 percent of the cases, people spent between $1,000 and $5,000 per incident, while 56 percent spent less than $500.
