British web users fear their personal data could have already been stolen

2 months ago

Internet users in Britain have been so alarmed by the increase in cyber crime that more than three- quarters fear hackers could have already stolen their personal details.

New research into public opinion on cyber crime, in the wake of the high-profile breaches of adultery website Ashley Madison and US retailer Target, found 81% are fearful cyber criminals have already stolen data without them realising.

The main reason for this fear was said to be the “unacceptable” amount of time it takes businesses to realise and report data breaches, with 73% saying this concerns them.

In 2014, eBay waited over a month before confirming personal information relating to more than 200 million customers had been compromised.

According to the survey by cyber security firm Bit9 + Carbon Black, many consumers believe fines and stricter punishments should be applied to businesses who are breached. A total of 59% said fines should be levied on organisations, while 7% said they want individuals within business to be made culpable for failures – including security officers facing prison time.

Bit9 + Carbon Black’s EMEA general manager David Flower said of the research: “The data that companies keep about their customers is a highly valuable commodity in today’s connected world; providing access to our bank accounts, shopping habits and even our very identity.

“High-profile data breaches at the likes of Target and more recently Ashley Madison have raised public awareness about the risks they are exposed to by the actions of cyber criminals seeking to steal their data.

“Consumers feel that it’s taking organisations far too long to detect a breach; if they can detect it at all, which is putting them at unnecessary risk. The demands for tougher penalties are an eye-opening indication of the way things could be headed if businesses don’t sit up and take note of these concerns.”

Internet users said more detection practices should be in place, with nearly two-thirds (63%) saying any business that stores sensitive personal information should keep it under 24-hour surveillance to ensure breaches are detected sooner.

“Data breaches have become such a regular occurrence that the public has lost patience,” Mr Flower added.