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Company News
Digital tit-for-tat: one in three would take revenge with an email virus
Wed, 10 October 2007
In an international security survey, Avira investigates who is at risk from a digital revenge attack
Tettnang, 10 October 2007 – What do bosses have in common with ex-boyfriends? Both are at most risk from revenge attacks with digital viruses, according to the result of the international online study of Avira. In August, the German IT security expert asked 7,297 visitors to the www.free-av.de and www.free-av.com websites whether they would like to paralyze a computer with a really nasty virus and if so, whose.
For 67 per cent of the German- and English-speaking respondents, such an insidious revenge attack was out of the question. However, the remaining 33 per cent would have no scruples about giving vent to their anger with an infected email if they could. Potential victims were to be found in both the private and the professional sphere, with ex-partners topping the list with 14 per cent. Supervisors should also check attachments to their emails before opening them, because 10 per cent of those asked feel like getting one back on their boss with a Trojan. The same applies to teachers and professors – the probability of them receiving a digital virus in their mailbox as a punishment is 7 per cent. According to the Avira study, parents-in-law can breathe a sigh of relief. Only two per cent of the participants in the survey would want to call them to account with an email virus.
“Watch who you trust – cyber-criminal energy also appears to be slumbering in apparently harmless individuals”, summarizes Tjark Auerbach, the founder and CEO of Avira. “After all, one in three obviously have no inhibitions about using a digital virus as a means of revenge. However, these people are probably completely unaware of what damage they can do with viruses, worms and Trojans. Frequently, malware not only paralyzes the targeted computer but also spreads like wildfire to other people, for example, via address books. Therefore, to prevent private and professional attacks, an up-to-date virus protection program is a must on every PC.”
Basic protection is available as a free download in the form of the Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic: www.free-av.com. For further functions such as protection against spyware and adware or scanning POP3 data traffic, Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium is available from the online shop of Avira as an annual license for 19,95 euro.
About Avira
Avira is a worldwide leading supplier of self-developed security solutions for professional and private use. With more than twenty years of experience, the company is one of the pioneers in this field.
The security expert has several locations in Germany and partnerships in Europe, Asia and America. At its headquarters in Tettnang near Lake Constance, Avira is one of the region’s largest employers with more than 180 employees. Worldwide more than 250 persons are employed and their work regularly wins awards. Avira AntiVir Personal, used by millions of private users, represents a significant contribution to security.
Avira’s national and international customers include renowned corporations listed on the stock exchange but also educational institutions and public authorities. In addition to protection of the virtual environment, Avira also provides for more protection and security in the real world by supporting the Auerbach Foundation. Established by the founder of the company, the Auerbach Foundation promotes charitable and social projects as well as the arts, culture and science.
Press Contact:
Elisabeth Rothbart
LEWIS Global PR
Baierbrunner Str. 15
D-81379 München
Telefon: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 33
Telefax: +49 (0) 89 1730 19 99
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