Cybercrooks Target 'Digitally Active'

Younger Internet users who are 'digitally active' and use the Web for mostly social interaction are most at risk of cybercrime, says PC Tools.

According to the security vendor, recent research revealed that 18- to 32-year-olds are the most social Web users with 59 percent regularly using instant messaging and 67 percent frequently visiting social networking sites such as Facebook. When they're not social networking, 57 percent of 18- to 32-year-olds are using the Web for online banking.

"Many would assume that the younger generation is too savvy to be fooled by online threats, but just because they are tech savvy doesn't mean that they are security savvy -- and this is a very important distinction," said Michael Greene, vice president of product strategy, PC Tools.

"In fact, younger people are at greater risk because of their high consumption of a wide variety of online content. The popularity of social networking sites, instant messaging services and shopping, music and video Websites make these venues a virtual open door for financial gain for cybercriminals," he continued, using the recent Koobface virus, which attacked Facebook users, as an example.

"As cybercriminals adopt more sophisticated methods to trick users into downloading malware, even the most tech-savvy and cautious Internet users are at risk of infection. It is imperative that consumers adopt the latest in security software, behavioural-based protection."

With this in mind PC Tools has launched a Security Savy quiz on its 'Ask Dr Greene' Website, which it hopes will let Web users "determine their security know-how and find out more about behavioural-based security."

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See also: PC Tools offers free PC security advice