SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – November 15, 2010 – The Federal Government, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and online security expert, Norton by Symantec Corp. (Nasdaq: SYMC), have teamed up to help raise consumer awareness of cybercrime in an effort to help prevent Australians falling victim to this growing threat.
Together they launched a new public education display called BLK MKT (Black Market) at Parliament House in Canberra today.
Officially opening the display, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said that it was encouraging to see the public and the private sectors coming together to help inform consumers.
“Government, law enforcement and industry are collaborating to help fight cybercrime. With the launch of BLK MKT, the general public is being asked to join in the fight against this growing problem,” said Senator Conroy.
“We need to be alert to the new and inventive ways criminals are using the internet, and we need greater international co-operation.”
Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, said that the Government was continuing to progress its vision for a secure, resilient and trusted cyber environment.
“The Government’s Cyber Security Strategy provides a range of measures to help protect government, business and individual Australians – but Australians need to remain vigilant and informed about online threats.”
According to Symantec’s 2010 Norton Cybercrime Report, 65 percent of adults worldwide have already fallen victim to cybercrime, while in Australia the statistic is slightly higher with over two-thirds (69%) of adults affected.
Symantec says the BLK MKT display gives substance to this largely unseen problem.
“Cybercrime has become a silent and global digital epidemic,” said Symantec’s Vice President and Managing Director, Pacific region, Craig Scroggie.
He said the display brought the world of the cybercriminal to life, and illustrated the enormity of the problem.
“At the heart of this issue are cybercriminals making a fortune through the online black market – trading credit card details, banking details, even entire identities,” said Mr Scroggie.
Symantec says online credit card fraud, computer viruses, online scams, phishing, social network profile hacking and harassment online are all forms of cybercrime that affect Australians.
Speaking at the launch, the AFP National Manager of High Tech Crime Operations, Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, said consumers could make an important contribution to online safety.
“The amount of crime taking place in the cyber world is currently far greater than what we see in the physical world – and that’s because detection is more difficult and requires more sophisticated forms of prevention and analysis,” said Mr Gaughan.
“Cybercrime and digital dangers are very real, yet many people don’t regard them the same way as thieves or crime syndicates.
“Anyone that goes online is vulnerable. However, consumers can help fight cybercrime by learning how to stay safe and protected online through some simple steps and precautions. Everyone is capable of contributing to the reduction of cybercrime worldwide.”
The BLK MKT display will tour Australia over the next 12 months, visiting key locations and selected V8 Supercar race rounds, including the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge (19-21 November) and the Sydney Telstra 500 (2-4 December).
Canberra residents and visitors can view the free display at Parliament House until midday, Tuesday 16 November.