Introducing: Andrew Ford

It’s Not A Con is proud to introduce its second new contributor, Andrew Ford, Norton’s Marketing Director for Northern Europe.

Since joining Norton in 2009, Andrew has used his marketing expertise to develop Norton’s consumer marketing strategy across multiple markets, lead the marketing team and mentor others. Andrew has worked in the in the consumer electronics industry since the late 80s so brings a wealth of experience to the blog.

As one of Norton’s internet safety advisors, Andrew regularly speaks to the media on the subject. He is passionate about the internet and ensuring customers get the best value from Norton’s products and are protected against the latest threats.

Andrew is particularly interested in mobile technology and the burgeoning threats from cybercrime in this space. In the coming weeks, Andrew will comment on social networks and how they are changing the way society views privacy, and how mobile devices are ushering in a new way of working, communicating and playing.

When not at work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family, keeping active and travelling. He is interested in foreign  languages and uses any given opportunity to practice his French, German and Spanish.

September 29, 2011 | Filed Under Announcements | Leave a Comment 

Norton One

Today we can announce plans to deliver a personalised service that will protect consumers across multiple devices, Norton One™.

Norton One will give consumers the option to select a combination of solutions that work for them and take away the hassle and worry of securing and maintaining today’s connected household.

Norton One will be the industry’s first membership-based offering spanning PC, Mac and mobile security solutions.

Norton One will provide a different experience by providing a single membership that will protect each connected device an a household through one user interface.

You will be able to choose the technologies and devices that you have and need to protect properly. New devices can also be seamlessly added to the membership and quickly protected against online threats. Licenses can then be moved between devices or removed if you’re no longer using a device.

A diversified range of technologies and support will be offered, including security and performance with personalised services and premium support.

Today’s Internet-enabled household relies on multiple devices to communicate, work, shop and play. All these devices need protection against online threats, but protection today needs to provide more than just basic security and must cover the distinct needs of all the household’s connected devices.

Norton market research has found that consumers in the U.S. have an average of 4.5 devices in their household between desktop computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and more.

The future of consumer security involves protection across all devices and platforms. We continue to expand our business with our Norton Everywhere initiative, delivering multi-device security solutions that are focused on the individual and their information, wherever you go and regardless of the device you’re using.

Norton One is expected to be available in the first half of 2012.

September 13, 2011 | Filed Under Announcements, Customer service, Family Online Safety, Security | Leave a Comment 

Norton Cybercrime Report 2011

This week you may have seen the launch of our yearly Norton Cybercrime Report, our study of online behavior trends and cybercrime.

The study has identified men between 18 and 31 years old who access the Internet from their mobile phone are even more likely to be victims of cybercrime. In this group 7 in 10 (70%) have experienced cybercrime in their lifetime of which 58 percent have fallen prey to cybercrime within the past 12 months in the UK.

The most common and most preventable type of cybercrime in the UK is computer viruses and malware which 38 percent of respondents have encountered. Viruses are followed by credit card fraud (10%) and social network hacking (6%). Social networking and a lack of protection are likely to be some of the main culprits behind the growing number of cybercrime victims.

My colleague Adam Palmer has lent us his thoughts:

“There is a serious disconnect in how people view the threat of cybercrime.

Cybercrime is much more prevalent than people realise. Over the past 12 months, three times as many adults surveyed have suffered from online crime versus offline crime, yet less than a third of respondents think they are more likely to become a victim of cybercrime than physical world crime in the next year.

With the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the staggering amount of money lost to cybercriminals, it’s important for people to think seriously about how they are protected online, otherwise they risk losing their hard-earned cash.”

Do you agree with Adam and his analysis?

Let us know by leaving a comment, or follow us on Twitter @norton_uk

September 9, 2011 | Filed Under Norton Cybercrime Report | Leave a Comment 

Norton Cybercrime Report 2011

Yesterday we launched our Norton Cybercrime Report, our yearly research into online behaviour.

One emerging trend is that of ‘cyber snooping,’ where we’re seeing Brits targeting their nearest and dearest to keep an eye on on their online activities.

Our report has revealed that 1 in 5 women admit to logging into their partner’s email or social network account without permission, but only 1 in 10 men have done the same. Twice as many women have had an argument with their partner as a result of information they have found online.

15 per cent of the population admitted to ‘cyber snooping’ on their partner, which illustrates how suspicions over online behaviour are becoming a conventional part of modern day relationships.

Over 50 per cent of under 25 year-olds share their email or social network passwords with their partner, but this level of trust decreases with age. 45-54 year-olds are the least likely to share their password.

Some other key stats

  • 13 percent of Brits lie about their age online with an almost equal split between men and women
  • Men are more likely to lie about their financial status (9 per cent of male respondents), while women are more likely to lie about their weight online (9 per cent of females)
  • Millennials (18-31 years-old) are four times more likely than the baby boom generation (47-65 years-old) to lie about their relationship status (8 per cent of Millennials compared to 2 per cent of Boomers)

Do your experiences online match with our report results?

Let us know by leaving a comment, or follow us on Twitter @norton_uk

September 8, 2011 | Filed Under Norton Cybercrime Report | Leave a Comment 

Norton Cybercrime Report 2011

This morning we’re launching this year’s Norton Cybercrime Report, our annual look at online crime in the UK.

Our research has found out that Cybercrime is costing the UK on average £474 million a year. Based on the value victims surveyed placed on time lost due to their cybercrime experiences, an additional £619 million was lost.

Headline facts:

  • 19 people fall victim to cybercrime every minute in the UK
  • 51% of those in the UK have experienced cybercrime in their lifetime
  • Only 16% of victims report cybercrime to the police
  • On average British people spend around 4 days resolving cybercrime related issues
  • Global cybercrime in 24 countries cost £71 billion last year

The financial cost of cybercrime is hitting Brits in the pocket, but this year’s Norton Cybercrime Report has also found questionable online ethics among the general population.

The core danger for people in the UK still lies in organised cybercrime and the sort of security attacks we’ve become accustomed to seeing in the news.

But, our research raises some serious questions around privacy and the boundaries people are willing to cross in their own online dealings.

Do your experiences of cybercrime match with our report results?

Let us know by leaving a comment, or follow us on Twitter @norton_uk

September 7, 2011 | Filed Under Announcements, Security | Leave a Comment