Artificial Intelligence
Grandparents Targeted by Ransomware, Young Adults by TikTok Scams
New research from Avast (LSE: AVST), a global leader in digital security and privacy, today revealed that older and younger generations are being targeted by different online threats based on the primary device that they use to go online.
The research, which forms part of a comprehensive global study with YouGov into digital citizenship trends, found that a majority of those aged 55-64 (58%) and over 65 (69%) primarily use their desktop computer or laptop to go online. This makes them more susceptible to ransomware, tech support scams, spyware/Trojans, and Botnets, which can be accidentally or unknowingly downloaded or accessed via links in emails or through malicious websites.
In contrast, younger generations mainly use their smartphone to go online (18-24 – 78%; 25-34 – 80%; 35-44 – 76%) making them targets for Adware, mobile banking Trojans, downloader and FluBot SMS scams spreading malware, and Instagram and TikTok scams promoting adware apps or Fleeceware. Across all devices, younger and older generations are also targets for phishing attacks and romance scams.
According to Avast Threat Labs data, on desktops Avast blocked on average over 1.46 million ransomware attacks each month in 2021, and between January and April this year, there were 5.9 million tech support scam attack attempts worldwide each month.
On mobile devices, the top threats last quarter were: adware (59%), mobile banking Trojans (9.7%), and downloaders (7.9%), which are harmful apps that use social engineering tactics to trick victims into installing more malicious or otherwise unwanted apps. FluBot has also been spreading widely on mobile in most countries, including the United Kingdom, where Avast blocked 3,500 attacks monthly in August and September this year, out of 35,000 attacks blocked on average globally per month in Q3.
“Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to steal your data, personal details or money through increasingly sophisticated scams and online threats. They often take into account how younger and older generations use different devices to launch targeted attacks, adapting them to current cultural and usage trends to make them more relevant and likely to hit their mark,” said Jaya Baloo, Chief Information and Security Officer at Avast.
The most important internet activity for 18–24-year-olds is using social media (37%). For 25–34-year-olds, it’s staying in contact with friends and family via messenger services and emails (37%), and for 35–44-year-olds, it’s banking and finance activities (43%). This shows why the younger generation are targeted on their smartphone with scams on Instagram and TikTok, FluBot SMS and email phishing scams that look like they’ve come from friends or family, and mobile banking Trojans.
In comparison, the most important activities for the older generation are banking and finance activities (55-64: 56%, 65+: 61%), followed by staying in contact with friends and family via messenger services and email (55-64: 40%, 65+: 47%), and using a search engine (55-64: 42%, 65+: 44%). This helps to explain why they are more likely to be targets for key threats on computers including ransomware, email phishing scams and spyware/Trojans targeting their finances, and tech support scams.
Jaya Baloo added, “Of course, younger generations are also susceptible to desktop-related threats as they use desktop devices as their secondary tool to go online, and vice versa older generations also use smartphones, but it’s important that Brits understand the different types of online threats that are targeted at different devices and that you discuss all of these threats as a family so each person is up to date and aware of how to stay safe whatever device they happen to be using.”
“Different generations may see the internet with different eyes and have different online experiences, which is something to keep in mind when having conversations about online safety at home.”
“As a rule of thumb, when going online, whether it’s on your computer, laptop or smartphone, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t continue. Don’t click on a link in an email, SMS, social ad or website, don’t input your personal or payment details, and don’t download. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
“It goes without saying that you should also make sure that you have strong digital protection not only for your computer but for your smartphone, which is becoming even more important with growing mobile threats. Look for an all-in-one solution, like Avast One which is available for individuals and families, that can offer protection for every device and protect you from different types of threats, including ransomware, adware, malware, spyware and phishing attacks, while also securing your network via a firewall to prevent hackers from accessing your computer via Wi-Fi and the internet.”
To find out more about Avast’s new Avast One product, available for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, visit: https://www.avast.com/en-au/avast-one#pc
Reveals necessity in every industry
NEW YORK, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Released today, The State of Public Web Data Report 2024, details a comprehensive analysis on how organizations leverage public web data to drive innovation, enhance customer experience, and develop AI models.
Bright Data commissioned an independent third-party to carry out the first survey of this kind which details the emergence of public web data as the most valued data type. Nearly every organization surveyed uses and benefits from public web data through quicker decision-making, boosting revenue, and meeting customer needs.
The need for public web data in AI is clear in all industries, with more than half of respondents using public web data to build AI models for customer service or to meet internal needs such as fraud detection and risk assessment.
Although necessary to build AI machines, 72% of respondents are worried that public web data will no longer be accessible in the next 5 years. The lack of a legal framework to protect this data emerged as a top concern.
Other key insights from the report:
89% of respondents recognize public web data is crucial or very important to the global economy.82% of respondents say public web data is critical to the future of their organization.79% of respondents agree that large organizations and or big tech hide too much of their public web data.88% of respondents believe public web data is critical for the development of AI models.”Our findings reveal a clear consensus among industry leaders: leveraging public web data is key to unlocking growth and fostering innovation,” said Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data. “Public web data is not a ‘like to have,’ it’s a ‘must have’ to conduct business and maintain a competitive market. We understand from our own experience with 20,000 customers that once a business realizes the potential of public web data they will look to discover new ways to leverage this tool to lead against the competition.”
About Bright Data: Bright Data is the #1 web data platform. Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, non-profits, and small businesses rely on Bright Data’s solutions to collect public web data in the most efficient, reliable, and flexible way to make faster, more informed business-critical decisions.
Contacts:[email protected]
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/first-comprehensive-report-on-public-web-data-released-by-bright-data-302124673.html
ITU Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation X.1281 – APIs for interoperability of identity management systems
BRUSSELS, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) announced today that its OSIA specification, is recognized as international standard by the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). This milestone establishes OSIA as official ITU standard (ITU-T Recommendation) for the global infrastructure of information and communication technologies (ICT).
The specification that is now an ITU-T Recommendation is: ITU-T X.1281 – APIs for interoperability of identity management systems.
ITU-T is the standardization arm of ITU, the United Nations specialized agency for ICT. The Secure Identity Alliance specifications were approved as official ITU-T Recommendations by ITU members including 193 countries and the world’s front-running ICT companies on 1st March 2024. The new ITU-T Recommendation is under the responsibility of ITU’s standardization expert group for security, ITU-T Study Group 17.
“We are very proud that the OSIA specification is recognized as an international standard by ITU-T. This milestone demonstrates the maturity of OSIA and its potential to foster interoperability and promote fairness in the identity management systems market,” said Debora Comparin, Chair of the OSIA Initiative.
Prof. Heung Youl Youm, Chairman of ITU-T Study Group 17, said, “The recognition of the OSIA specification as an official ITU-T Recommendation underscores its critical contribution to the advancement of global ICT infrastructure. We are thrilled about the ongoing collaboration between ITU-T SG17 and the SIA, aimed at developing standards for secure identity management.”
“As Editor of the OSIA standard in the ITU-T Study Group 17 Q10, I am pleased to have contributed to this successful recommendation by the ITU,” said Abbie Barbir, Rapporteur for ITU-T’s working group on ‘Identity management and telebiometrics architecture and mechanisms’ (Q10/17). “The collaboration with the SIA continues on OSIA and other structuring initiatives and standards development.”
Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, CEO, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria & Chair of the OSIA Advisory Committee, said, “As the Chair of the OSIA Advisory Committee, comprised exclusively of government representatives, we take great pride in our five years of collaboration guiding the working group in the development of the OSIA specification. OSIA establishes equal marketplace conditions, fosters collaboration, and ensures product compatibility post-mergers and acquisitions. The OSIA standardized interfaces drive innovation, enabling new local market models and reducing fraud within multiple ID systems. Additionally, OSIA addresses integrator/vendor lock-in, allowing governments to maintain control over their identity systems and pursue national development agendas seamlessly.”
“The Secure Identity Alliance has always supported standards and its members have contributed to thousands of standards globally, which are now used in the ICT market. Standards are key to unlock the full power of Identity to enable people, economy and society to thrive,” concluded Didier Trutt, Chairman of the SIA.
X.1281 is at publication stage and can be accessed here: https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/workprog/wp_item.aspx?isn=18778
OSIA v6.1.0. twin specification can be accessed here: https://osia.readthedocs.io/en/v6.1.0/index.html
OSIA qualification programme can be accessed here: https://globalplatform.org/osia-qualification-program/
For more information on the Secure Identity Alliance and the OSIA Initiative, visit http://www.secureidentityalliance.org and www.osia.io
For more information on ITU-T SG 17 visit https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/studygroups/2022-2024/17/Pages/default.aspx.
About the Secure Identity Alliance:
Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) is a global non-profit association that serves as the voice for public and private actors and organizations active in the secure identity ecosystem and adjacent industries. SIA’s mission is to unlock the full power of identity so that people, economy, and society thrive. The association supports the development of the activities of its members across four broad pillars: Identity for Good, Outreach, Open Standards Development and Industry Services and Solutions. www.secureidentityalliance.org
About OSIA:
A digital public good, OSIA is an open standard set of interfaces (APIs) that enables seamless connectivity between building blocks of the identity management ecosystem – independent of technology, solution architecture or vendor. More information at www.osia.io
Follow the Secure Identity Alliance at on X @secureidentity1 and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/secure-identity-alliance/
About ITU-T SG 17
The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is one of the three Sectors (branches) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is responsible for coordinating standards for telecommunications and Information Communication Technology such as X.509 for cybersecurity, Y.3172 and Y.3173 for machine learning, and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for video compression, between its Member States, Private Sector Members, and Academia Members.
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/osia-becomes-an-official-international-telecoms-union-itu-standard-302124668.html
STOCKHOLM, April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SciBase Holding AB (“SciBase”) (STO: SCIB), a leading developer of augmented intelligence-based solutions for skin disorders will participate at the Redeye Medtech event.
On April 24 at CET 9.50 CEO Pia Renaudin will present the latest developments in SciBase at Redeye. The presentation is live broadcasted and can be followed at https://www.redeye.se/events/974326/redeye-theme-medtech-2 where the replay and the presentations will be available afterwards.
For additional information, please contact:Pia Renaudin, VD, tel. +46732069802, e-mail: [email protected]
Certified Advisor (CA):Vator SecuritiesTel: +46 8 580 065 99Email: [email protected]
About SciBase:
SciBase is a global medical technology company, specializing in early detection and prevention in dermatology. SciBase develops and commercializes Nevisense, a unique point-of-care platform that combines AI (artificial intelligence) and advanced EIS technology to elevate diagnostic accuracy, ensuring proactive skin health management.
Our commitment is to minimize patient suffering, allowing clinicians to improve and save lives through timely detection and intervention and reduce healthcare costs.
Built on more than 20 years of research at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, SciBase is a leader in dermatological advancements.
The company has been on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market exchange since June 2, 2015. Learn more at www.scibase.com. All press releases and financial reports can be found here: http://investors.scibase.se/en/pressreleases
This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com
https://news.cision.com/scibase/r/scibase-will-present-at-the-redeye-medtech-event-on-april-24-th-,c3966053
The following files are available for download:
https://mb.cision.com/Main/12371/3966053/2751965.pdf
Redeye presentation
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/scibase-will-present-at-the-redeye-medtech-event-on-april-24th-302124656.html
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