Silver surfers ahead of young in online security

Despite being into the latest gadgets and gizmos, young people aren't as savvy as their elders when it comes to looking after themselves online, according to research published today.

Eight out of 10 Britons aged between 45 and 54 (often placed in the so-called 'silver surfers' category) refuse to spend online if they can't see proof a site is secure, a figure that slightly overshadows the 'iPod' generation, with 68 per cent of those aged between 16 and 24 being as astute, claimed the study by the CPP Group.

Of the younger generation leaving themselves vulnerable to security risks such as online card fraud, 80 per cent shout the loudest regarding their frustration and annoyance at the resulting inconvenience of being a victim.

More than 2,000 people were studied as part of the research, which analysed online shopping and security behaviour. The study revealed that one in 10 of us have become victims of online fraud in the UK, highlighting an unfortunate but real side effect of our web-appetite that results in around £58,000 spent online in a lifetime, according to the survey findings.

"Using your card online can quite easily be a way for you to become a victim of card fraud. It's surprising that young people are the one's who take most risks online, where you might assume that they would be much more 'web aware', than the internet's older users," said Danny Harrison, an identity theft expert at CPP.

Without wishing to patronise the iPod generation, Harrison advised them to make sure they avoid complacency and take the time to check web pages are secure. "It's really easy to do," he said. "Just look for the padlock in the right hand corner or your web page - this means it's a secure web page. Also look out for the HTTPS, at the beginning of the web address as this also means your card details will be protected."

Following on from the study, CPP is also advising people to ensure they follow other web security best practice procedures such as only using secure web browsers, shunning public or shared terminals for transactional activities and avoiding sites where personal details are stored, as well as common sense actions such as not responding to email requests for banking or other personal details.

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