IT Security Firm ESET Issues New Survey Revealing Public's Knowledge and Attitudes About Ransomware

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Apr 28, 2016, 01:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET®, a global pioneer in IT security for more than two decades, released findings from a survey today that illustrates attitudes and knowledge individuals have about ransomware, a proliferating malicious software that holds files hostage until a ransom is paid.

With 3,000 respondents across the U.S. and Canada, the survey showed that more than 30 percent of people do not know what ransomware is, and even more don't take the necessary precautions to defend against it. This survey comes on the heels of a report from the ESET research team also released today that shows that ransomware is on the rise. ESET LiveGrid® detected a significant increase in detections of the malware from October 2015 to March 2016.

"Despite the attacks we have seen, and the widespread reporting on ransomware in the news in recent months, many people still don't know what it is," said ESET Senior Security Researcher Stephen Cobb.

A new blog post from Cobb on ESET.com, breaks down the survey data in an infographic, and provides practical tips businesses and consumers should take to defend against ransomware attacks.

"We do believe that the first step in protecting against cyberthreats like ransomware is awareness and education," said Cobb. "The more people know about the types of threats that exist, the better they will be at taking necessary steps to defend themselves and their companies."

ESET includes free cybersecurity training in all of its consumer anti-malware products and its news site WeLiveSecurity.com is strictly dedicated to reporting on the latest cyberthreats from around the world and educating the public about cybersecurity.

View the survey data on the ESET blog here: www.eset.com/us/resources/detail/ransomware-survey-what-people-don-t-know-can-hurt-them

About ESET:
Since 1987, ESET® has been developing award-winning security software that now helps over 100 million users to Enjoy Safer Technology. Its broad security product portfolio covers all popular platforms and provides businesses and consumers around the world with the perfect balance of performance and proactive protection. The company has a global sales network covering 180 countries, and regional offices in Bratislava, San Diego, Singapore and Buenos Aires. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE ESET