More and more online companies are offering ways for users to better protect their online data from hackers and malware, via methods such as two-factor authentication, better password generation and more. However, a new survey by Microsoft shows that only a few people are taking steps to better protect their online data and identity.
The survey comes as part of Microsoft"s second annual Microsoft Computing Safety Index. In a press release, Microsoft said it polled 10,000 PC, smartphone and tablet users in 20 countries. While 55 percent of the people who were surveyed had more than one online risk, just 16 percent of them say they took multiply steps to protect themselves from online threats.
While 45 percent of the people who were surveyed worry about online identity theft happening to them, just 34 percent have a PIN they use to unlock their mobile device. While 48 percent of those polled say they worry about computer viruses, 53 percent actually have anti-virus programs installed on their PC, while 44 percent use firewalls.
Microsoft offers up a number of suggestions to better protect your online data, including the use of stronger passwords, locking your mobile phone with a PIN, not playing bills or shopping on a public computer or open WiFi network, and reducing spam messages in your email inbox.
Source: Microsoft
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