14 DAY TRIAL // McAfee recently revealed the results of a global report in which internet users were questioned about the value of their digital property. In average, each person estimates a $37,438 (€27,000) overall worth of their assets combined from all their devices.
MSI International came up with the numbers after surveying more than 3000 consumers from 10 countries all around the world. Each of them had to put a price on everything they have stored on electronic support, including pictures, personal information and even media content.
In contrast, while all those included in the study highly treasure their things, more than 30% of them fail to properly protect their possessions.
Jennifer Jolly, consumer technology expert, revealed “Most parents wouldn’t dream of leaving a stack of their child’s photos, their family bank statements, online passwords and other personal information just lying around for strangers to sift through.”
“But that’s what you’re risking when you walk around with unprotected smartphones, tablets and other digital devices. Your digital assets are precious, why wouldn’t you safeguard them?”
With 60% of consumers owning at least three devices and smartphone targeted threats increasing each day, still people can't get used to the fact that mobile apparatus is highly exposed and vulnerable to attacks.
“Consumers recognize the value of their digital assets. While they are more likely to secure their PCs, they often neglect protection for their other Internet-enabled devices,” stated Gary Davis, director of consumer product marketing at McAfee.
“It’s like installing an expensive home security alarm on the front door, but leaving the windows and back door wide open. It just takes one open window to allow a virus, hacker, or identity thief to wipe out all the digital assets on any given device, having their personal and financial info compromised as a result,” he added.
Other key findings of the survey show that North American respondents place the highest value on their virtual property, about $52,000 (€38,000).
An alarming 27% admits that some of the information stored on their computing gadgets cannot be recovered in case it gets lost, most cherished being personal memories which are rated at an average of almost $19,000 (€14,000).
We've already discussed the reasons why people fail or refuse to protect their devices and it seems that while a small percentage became more conscious of the dangers, we're still a long way to go until all the internet-enabled machines are properly secured.