- Digital scams are now perceived as as much of a threat as other crimes
- Avast Survey claims 1 out of 3 Britons has fallen victim to online fraud
- Phishing has seen a 466% increase quarter-to-quartal
If you think digital fraud is increasing, you’re not alone – a new study from Avast and Neighborhood Watch has revealed that 92% of the British believe cyber crime is as much of a threat as other types of crime.
A little over one in three respondents say they have personally fallen victim to cyber criminals, and many of these have suffered financial loss in the hands of digital scammers.
In particular, phishing fraud is increasing with a 466% increase quarter-to-quartal. The increase in phishing fraud is largely attributed to ai with criminals who utilize AI tools to send more frequent and more sophisticated social technical attacks. With AI, it takes scammers just a few minutes to design campaigns that would have taken days in the past.
More financial loss
Not surprisingly, the British also lose more money, with 59% of victims losing up to £ 500. Women lose more common below £ 500, and men are more likely to suffer greater losses (between £ 501 and £ 2000 and £ 2000+).
“As cyber criminals use more and more sophisticated tactics, it is no longer optional to stay vigilant online – especially when scams become more difficult to spot and now lurk around in each digital corner,” said Luis Corrons, security evangelist for Avast.
To protect you from cyberattacks, especially technical attacks, the key remains vigilant. Be sure to check any unexplained communication thoroughly, especially e emails or texts that include an invitation to action (ie ‘change your password now’).
Be vigilant to anyone who claims to be a family member or a friend, especially given the development of deep-fake technologies. Voting and pictures can be cloned or counterfeit, so do not send money to someone you are not 100% sure is real.
Particularly important is to remember to never click on any links or attachments that you do not trust and if you need recommendations on how to create a secure password, we have listed some of our best tips here.
