New
McAfee Survey Reveals 20 Percent of Consumers in Singapore Would Knowingly Buy
a Connected Device Vulnerable to Hacking
McAfee Survey Reveals 20 Percent of Consumers in Singapore Would Knowingly Buy
a Connected Device Vulnerable to Hacking
Drones, Digital
Assistants, and Connected Toys Top the List
of Most Hackable Devices this Holiday Season
Assistants, and Connected Toys Top the List
of Most Hackable Devices this Holiday Season
NEWS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
·
Survey reveals 79
percent of consumers are likely to shop for holiday gifts online
Survey reveals 79
percent of consumers are likely to shop for holiday gifts online
·
Ten percent of
consumers think it is unnecessary to use security software to protect their
devices
Ten percent of
consumers think it is unnecessary to use security software to protect their
devices
·
Fifty-three percent of
consumers are aware of what they need to do to secure their devices, while 28
percent try to put security measures in place but are not sure how
Fifty-three percent of
consumers are aware of what they need to do to secure their devices, while 28
percent try to put security measures in place but are not sure how
Singapore,
November 28, 2017 – Today McAfee
announced its third annual Most Hackable Holiday Gifts list to help consumers
identify potential security risks associated with popular gifts this holiday
season. The category of laptops, tablets and smartphones leads the list,
followed by drones, digital assistants, connected toys, and connected
appliances. In addition, McAfee conducted a survey to identify the habits and
behaviors of consumers as they get ready for the holiday shopping season.
November 28, 2017 – Today McAfee
announced its third annual Most Hackable Holiday Gifts list to help consumers
identify potential security risks associated with popular gifts this holiday
season. The category of laptops, tablets and smartphones leads the list,
followed by drones, digital assistants, connected toys, and connected
appliances. In addition, McAfee conducted a survey to identify the habits and
behaviors of consumers as they get ready for the holiday shopping season.
Most consumers agree that security is a necessity for
smartphones and tablets (72%), followed by laptops (71%). However, only 20
percent believe connected toys and drones require security, and 39 percent
think that digital assistants need to be secured.
smartphones and tablets (72%), followed by laptops (71%). However, only 20
percent believe connected toys and drones require security, and 39 percent
think that digital assistants need to be secured.
“Singapore is a hyper connected society with a close
to 80 per cent of Singaporeans planning to purchase a connected device online this
holiday season. However, what’s
worrying is that a fifth of them are not concerned about security and would still buy a device even
if they knew it was susceptible to security breaches,” said David Freer, Vice
President, Consumer, Asia Pacific at McAfee. “Such risky behaviour exposes
Singaporeans to a myriad of cybersecurity risks and sheds light on the lack of
awareness when it comes to securing devices,” said David Freer, Vice President,
Consumer, Asia Pacific at McAfee.
to 80 per cent of Singaporeans planning to purchase a connected device online this
holiday season. However, what’s
worrying is that a fifth of them are not concerned about security and would still buy a device even
if they knew it was susceptible to security breaches,” said David Freer, Vice
President, Consumer, Asia Pacific at McAfee. “Such risky behaviour exposes
Singaporeans to a myriad of cybersecurity risks and sheds light on the lack of
awareness when it comes to securing devices,” said David Freer, Vice President,
Consumer, Asia Pacific at McAfee.
“We continue to see connected devices high on holiday
wish lists, but it’s clear consumers don’t always understand the importance of protecting
devices at every point of connection and within products themselves,” said Gary
Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at McAfee. “In many cases, consumers
are simply unaware that their devices need to be protected or how to protect
them. This lack of awareness and action can be exploited by cybercriminals to break
into devices and steal personal information.”
wish lists, but it’s clear consumers don’t always understand the importance of protecting
devices at every point of connection and within products themselves,” said Gary
Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at McAfee. “In many cases, consumers
are simply unaware that their devices need to be protected or how to protect
them. This lack of awareness and action can be exploited by cybercriminals to break
into devices and steal personal information.”
Almost all consumers (93%) claim that they know it
is important to keep their online identity and devices safe, but only 58
percent take the necessary steps to implement protection. Twenty two percent
assume that the manufacturer has built security into the product, and another 28
percent know they need to put security precautions in place but don’t know how.
This highlights the importance of consumers to conduct research about a
device’s built-in security settings, rather than solely relying on
manufacturers to appropriately lock down their devices and data.
is important to keep their online identity and devices safe, but only 58
percent take the necessary steps to implement protection. Twenty two percent
assume that the manufacturer has built security into the product, and another 28
percent know they need to put security precautions in place but don’t know how.
This highlights the importance of consumers to conduct research about a
device’s built-in security settings, rather than solely relying on
manufacturers to appropriately lock down their devices and data.
This
Year’s Most Hackable Holiday Gifts Include:
Year’s Most Hackable Holiday Gifts Include:
- Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets – Laptops,
smartphones, and tablets are traditional targets for cybercriminals, but if not
properly secured, can get infected with malicious applications. - Drones – Sales
of drones are expected to top $1 billion in 2017, but security hasn’t quite
caught up. Consumers need to stay mindful of risks associated with drone
jacking and fake Wi-Fi signals from rogue drones. - Digital
Assistants – These device-based assistants can help order
household items, play music, provide answers to questions, and much more.
However, with microphones that are always listening for a wake-up command, and
many devices now equipped with cameras it’s vital to understand privacy
implications. - Connected
Toys – Toys keep getting smarter, but unfortunately
so do cybercriminals. For many manufacturers, security is an afterthought that
can leave toys vulnerable to attack when hackers target built-in microphones
and location-based services. - Connected
Appliances – A smart home appliance can make daily life easier, but be aware that these devices could
be used as pawns in an online
attack or leak
information about you or your home.
Tips for Consumers to Stay Protected This
Holiday Season:
Holiday Season:
To help keep
your family safe during the holidays, McAfee has the following tips:
your family safe during the holidays, McAfee has the following tips:
·
Think
before you click: One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to
compromise your device is through a malicious link. Be skeptical if you receive
a link or other solicitation that you are not expecting.
Think
before you click: One of the easiest ways for cybercriminals to
compromise your device is through a malicious link. Be skeptical if you receive
a link or other solicitation that you are not expecting.
·
Update
your software: Whether it’s your PC, smartphone, digital assistant
or even your drone, keep the software up to date. Manufacturers plug security
holes with device updates so it’s important to always install the latest
versions as soon as possible. Where applicable use up-to-date security
software.
Update
your software: Whether it’s your PC, smartphone, digital assistant
or even your drone, keep the software up to date. Manufacturers plug security
holes with device updates so it’s important to always install the latest
versions as soon as possible. Where applicable use up-to-date security
software.
·
Beware
of shady public Wi-Fi hotspots: Cybercriminals often deploy fake Wi-Fi hotspots
that appear to be legitimate, but give them visibility into your browsing
habits. If you have to use public Wi-Fi refrain from online shopping or banking.
If you need to shop or bank on public Wi-Fi use a Virtual Private Network (VPN),
like McAfee
Safe Connect, to encrypt your network traffic.
Beware
of shady public Wi-Fi hotspots: Cybercriminals often deploy fake Wi-Fi hotspots
that appear to be legitimate, but give them visibility into your browsing
habits. If you have to use public Wi-Fi refrain from online shopping or banking.
If you need to shop or bank on public Wi-Fi use a Virtual Private Network (VPN),
like McAfee
Safe Connect, to encrypt your network traffic.
·
Do your homework: Not all
manufacturers take security seriously, especially when it comes to connected
toys, so it’s important to research if there have been any reported security
vulnerabilities before purchasing.
Do your homework: Not all
manufacturers take security seriously, especially when it comes to connected
toys, so it’s important to research if there have been any reported security
vulnerabilities before purchasing.
·
Protect
your home network: Secure all of your connected devices and your
home internet at its source with McAfee Secure Home Platform. This
solution gives you insight into what devices are on your network, and protects
all of your connected devices.
Protect
your home network: Secure all of your connected devices and your
home internet at its source with McAfee Secure Home Platform. This
solution gives you insight into what devices are on your network, and protects
all of your connected devices.
For more information:
·
Learn more about the survey and list in this blog
post by Gary Davis
Learn more about the survey and list in this blog
post by Gary Davis
·
Follow along online with us on Twitter: @McAfee_Home
Follow along online with us on Twitter: @McAfee_Home
Survey Methodology:
McAfee
commissioned MSI-ACI to conduct a survey of 504 adults between the ages of 18
and 55 in the Singapore between September and October 2017. Respondents were
individuals who use a connected device daily.
commissioned MSI-ACI to conduct a survey of 504 adults between the ages of 18
and 55 in the Singapore between September and October 2017. Respondents were
individuals who use a connected device daily.
List Methodology:
McAfee
used the following criteria to compile the list of most hackable devices:
used the following criteria to compile the list of most hackable devices:
·
Accessibility: Does
this device connect to the internet?
Accessibility: Does
this device connect to the internet?
·
Communication
Security: Does this device use insecure methods of
transmitting information?
Communication
Security: Does this device use insecure methods of
transmitting information?
·
Target
Value: Does this device have access to information
that would be valuable to a cybercriminal?
Target
Value: Does this device have access to information
that would be valuable to a cybercriminal?
·
Activity: Is
there active research in the hacking community into exploiting these devices?
Activity: Is
there active research in the hacking community into exploiting these devices?
·
Wildlife: Are
there active exploits roaming the internet looking for this device?
Wildlife: Are
there active exploits roaming the internet looking for this device?
About McAfee
McAfee
is one of the world’s leading independent cybersecurity companies. Inspired by
the power of working together, McAfee creates business and consumer solutions
that make the world a safer place. Learn more at http://www.mcafee.com/
is one of the world’s leading independent cybersecurity companies. Inspired by
the power of working together, McAfee creates business and consumer solutions
that make the world a safer place. Learn more at http://www.mcafee.com/
McAfee, the McAfee
logo, and McAfee Secure Home Platform, are trademarks or registered trademarks
of McAfee LLC or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
logo, and McAfee Secure Home Platform, are trademarks or registered trademarks
of McAfee LLC or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.
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