Though the vast majority of consumers say that they're aware of just how fragile their online privacy may be when they surf the Web, most don't do nearly enough to protect themselves from the threats they know exist.
In all, 90 percent of Americans who use a computer, tablet or smartphone for work-related activities say that they feel their online privacy is threatened, but seem willing to engage in behavior that can put their personal information at risk, according to a new survey from the global IT nonprofit ISACA. For instance, to get a 50 percent discount on an item that costs $100, 58 percent of those polled say they would give up their email address, 22 percent would turn over the street upon which they grew up, and 15 percent would grant the company their mother's maiden name.
Further, 33 percent say they would be just as inclined to use a personal device for work purposes if they knew their employer would be able to keep tabs on their habits, and 15 percent say they've used location-based mobile apps, the report said. This despite the fact that more than half - 53 percent - felt that sharing information online in general has become a greater risk in the past year.
"As people share more intimate details about themselves online, they are more likely to be victims of targeted fraud and social engineering attacks," said John Pironti, advisor with ISACA and president of IP Architects LLC.
Many consumers admitted to other risky behaviors as well, the report said. For instance, 65 percent don't verify their security settings when using online shopping sites, and 36 percent have clicked links to social media sites when using work devices. Another 19 percent use their work emails for personal shopping and other activities not related to their jobs, and 12 percent store work passwords on personal devices. Finally, 11 percent use cloud services to store work documents without permission from their employers.
Eduard Goodman, the chief privacy officer for IDentity Theft 911, writes regularly about the dangers to consumer privacy employees may encounter in their everyday lives, and what they can do to increase the protection of that sensitive personal or professional information.
In all, 90 percent of Americans who use a computer, tablet or smartphone for work-related activities say that they feel their online privacy is threatened, but seem willing to engage in behavior that can put their personal information at risk, according to a new survey from the global IT nonprofit ISACA. For instance, to get a 50 percent discount on an item that costs $100, 58 percent of those polled say they would give up their email address, 22 percent would turn over the street upon which they grew up, and 15 percent would grant the company their mother's maiden name.
Further, 33 percent say they would be just as inclined to use a personal device for work purposes if they knew their employer would be able to keep tabs on their habits, and 15 percent say they've used location-based mobile apps, the report said. This despite the fact that more than half - 53 percent - felt that sharing information online in general has become a greater risk in the past year.
"As people share more intimate details about themselves online, they are more likely to be victims of targeted fraud and social engineering attacks," said John Pironti, advisor with ISACA and president of IP Architects LLC.
Many consumers admitted to other risky behaviors as well, the report said. For instance, 65 percent don't verify their security settings when using online shopping sites, and 36 percent have clicked links to social media sites when using work devices. Another 19 percent use their work emails for personal shopping and other activities not related to their jobs, and 12 percent store work passwords on personal devices. Finally, 11 percent use cloud services to store work documents without permission from their employers.
Eduard Goodman, the chief privacy officer for IDentity Theft 911, writes regularly about the dangers to consumer privacy employees may encounter in their everyday lives, and what they can do to increase the protection of that sensitive personal or professional information.