Antivirus software can help prevent credit card fraud. Most people have now taken steps to protect themselves against online credit card fraud, delegates at a technology summit held in London yesterday (November 16th) were told.
The Get Safe Online summit, part of an initiative aimed at promoting consumer web security, heard that 86% of people currently have effective antivirus protection installed on their computers.
Delegates at the conference included representatives from communications regulator Ofcom and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Antivirus software helps to block attacks from hackers.
If successful, these security breaches can lead to the theft of personal data such as credit card details from computers.
Tony Neate, managing director of meeting organisers GetSafeOnline.org, commented: “The risks on the internet can be avoided by taking a few simple precautions and regularly taking some time to update themselves and their PCs about those security messages.”
Another attendee, director of intervention at the Serious Organised Crime Agency Paul Evans, said: “This initiative [GetSafeOnline.org], and those that have promoted it, have shown us the way to deal with online organised crime.”
Despite advances in antivirus technology, financial fraud remains a considerable threat to UK consumers.
Figures from Financial Fraud Action UK show that total debit and credit card fraud losses reached £232.8m over the first six months of 2009. Read more…
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