OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2015. The 2015 Consumer Security Risks Survey, conducted by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International, investigated which cyber threats consumers are aware of and which they fear the most. The survey found that 68 percent of participants fear their online accounts will be hacked. The same percentage was also concerned about malware designed to steal passwords and data on a device.

Results showed that many consumers were concerned with threats to their digital identity, many threats of which they were fully aware. 63 percent of participants were worried about financial cyber threats, followed by 60 percent who were concerned about phishing emails and websites that attempt to collect user information.

On the other hand, Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and global espionage campaigns were among the dangers that worried consumers the least. Though a large risk for businesses who are the primary targets, these types of attacks rarely impact the average consumer directly. Unsurprisingly, DDoS and espionage campaigns are also the threats that consumers are least familiar with – 29 percent and 27 percent of respondents, respectively, have not heard about them.

The survey also highlighted that 28 percent of consumers are ignorant of ransomware threats. Unfortunately, this type of threat, which encrypts files on computers and demand payment for a decryption key, is happening more and more frequently. For example, Kaspersky Lab experts recently reported a new modification of the Tesla Crypt Trojan that demanded \\$500 from each victim.

Malicious apps created to access webcams and adware and lead the way among the threats consumers are aware of, but which cause no concern. However, these programs are more dangerous than they seem: cybercriminals can watch users or overhear confidential information via a webcam, or use video clips to blackmail their victims, while advertising modules can be utilized to imbed even more dangerous programs.

"People are concerned about the safety of their online accounts, although only a few think they will be targeted by a cyberattack. Attackers often rely on the element of surprise, when users least expect it. That’s why Kaspersky Lab recommends consumer expand their knowledge of current Internet threats, to be alert and make sure their security solutions are primed and ready," says Elena Kharchenko, Head of Consumer Product Management, Kaspersky Lab.

Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Total Security are security solutions that protect consumers’ digital lives from unknown threats. The products integrate award-winning technologies to protect device owners from malware, financial threats, phishing, adware and more. The component for Windows-based devices also includes a feature to protect from unauthorized access to the web camera and microphone.

The full report can be found here: https://kas.pr/xMD8