Tech giant Google is to embark on a UK-wide security roadshow after revealing that over a quarter of people in the country have been either a victim or a target of hacking in the last two years.
Beginning on 7 August, the roadshow will cover five UK cities and over 30 schools and will see Google security experts hosting free workshops and consultations as to how to beat hackers.
Such advice is well merited: a recent survey by Google revealed that 27% of 2000 respondents had their online services, such as an email account or online bank account, hacked or targeted by hackers in the last two years. Just over a third were afraid that their personal information – such as password(s), bank details, or emails – could be taken by hackers and used without their permission.
Alarmingly, a quarter of those surveyed admitted they do not have any kind of security, such as a 4-digit code, pattern lock, or fingerprint scan, to secure their smartphone, despite an increasing amount of important personal information being stored on mobile devices. A tenth reported that personal information had been used online without their permission.
“With a marked increase in phishing, identity theft and consumer data breaches, it is now more important than ever for people to understand how to best protect themselves and their sensitive data,” said Raj Samani, CTO EMEA at Intel Security, a partner for the program.
“Just this year Intel Security discovered that 57% of UK consumers do not believe it is their responsibility to protect their own devices, showing that work needs to be done to educate. Simple measures such as understanding what makes a secure password and how to recognize phishing emails can empower consumers of all ages to use technology safely. With accurate education, preparation and implementation of security measures, we will hopefully see a drop in successful attacks in the future.”