2013 Norton Report

The Norton Report, now in its fourth year, is an annual research study, commissioned by Symantec, which examines consumers’ online behaviors, attitudes, security habits, and the dangers and financial cost of cybercrime. It is one of the largest global studies of its kind. This year’s report surveyed 13,022 online adults across 24 countries.

Key highlights include:

• Consumers are more mobile than ever, but leaving security behind. Despite the fact that 63 percent of those surveyed own smartphones and 30 percent own tablets, nearly one-in-two don’t take basic precautions such as using passwords, having security software or backing up files on their mobile device.
• Cybercrime continues to be a growing global concern. Both the total global direct cost of cybercrime (US$113 billion; up from $110 billion) and the average cost per victim of cybercrime ($298; up from $197) increased this year.
• As people are now constantly connected, the lines are blurring between their personal and work lives, across multiple devices and storage solutions. Nearly half (49 percent) of the respondents report using their personal devices (PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets) for work-related activities.