Lack of security awareness making online fraud easier

13:25 12th March 2009

A lack of security awareness among web users is making online fraud and identity theft easier for cyber criminals.

New research from IT security firm Sophos found that only a fifth of web users change their password for different websites, while 30 per cent use the same password for a multitude of different sites.

The results suggest that the majority of people are elevating their exposure to internet criminals, despite heightened media attention on rising levels of cyber crime.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at the firm, said: "There's plenty on offer for hackers and by using the same password to access Facebook, Amazon and your online bank account, you're making it much easier for them."

Mr Cluley added that web users should make sure they have a strong and unique password for every site that requires a sign-in.

Computer training could help people to form a better understanding of IT security and the risks they are exposed to.

TraningZone.co.uk recently reported that International Correspondence Schools has set up a course to show businesses how cyber criminals could hack into computer systems.