AMSTERDAM and SAN FRANCISCO, November
21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
As consumers gear up to
spend more than a billion dollars in a single day, AVG offers
advice on how to keep that cash out of thieves' hands
AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG), the provider of Internet and
mobile security to 143 million active users, today announces five
tips to help consumers ensure secure online shopping - just in time
for Cyber Monday. Whether from desktops, laptops, tablets or
smartphones, these AVG tips help consumers make purchases with
confidence that personal data remain inaccessible to hackers and
data thieves.
"When you get down to it, it's the potential exposure of
financial information and identity theft that's on everyone's minds
this time of year," said JR Smith, CEO of AVG Technologies. "If you
have security software on your computer or mobile device it's
relatively safe to shop online this holiday season, especially if
you transact predominantly with big-brand retailers. However,
there are numerous very straightforward things you can do to
protect your transactions as well as secure your identity and
credit card information while shopping online."
AVG offers consumers the following tips to demystify the
practice of secure online shopping:
- Use only one card for all online purchases. Ensure it's one
with a very low monthly balance of $500 or less and that has fraud protection. In
addition, also monitor your statements on a regular basis, monthly
at a minimum.
- Avoid making purchases or transmitting info over public Wi-Fi
networks, as they can offer hackers easy access to data
- Equip mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones
with access passwords and remote locking or wiping capabilities in
the event they are lost or stolen
- Shop only from trusted brand-name merchants who use SSL
protocol
- Install a simple-to-use, 100% free but highly effective
security solution such as AVG Internet Security 2013 for your
computer or AVG Mobilation for your smartphone.
According to ComScore, in 2011 consumers spent $1.25 billion dollars for online purchases on
Cyber Monday, setting an all time record. In 2012, the National
Retail Federation projects that amount will increase by 12%.
According to the 2012 Identity Fraud Survey Report (Javelin
Strategy & Research), 11.1 million American adults were victims
of identity theft in 2010. On average a victim of identity theft
spends 330 hours (or 41 eight hour working days) resolving the
problem.
About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG's mission is to simplify, optimize and secure the Internet
experience, providing peace of mind to a connected world. AVG's
powerful yet easy-to-use software and online services put users in
control of their Internet experience. By choosing AVG's software
and services, users become part of a trusted global community that
benefits from inherent network effects, mutual protection and
support. AVG has grown its user base to 143 million active users as
of September 30, 2012 and offers a
product portfolio that targets the consumer and small business
markets and includes Internet security, PC performance
optimization, online backup, mobile security, identity protection
and family safety software.
http://www.avg.com
Keep in touch with AVG
- For breaking news, follow AVG on Twitter at
http://www.twitter.com/officialAVGnews
- For small business security trends analysis, follow the AVG
small business blog at small-business.blog.avg.com
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http://www.facebook.com/AVGfree
- Join our LinkedIn community
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2719797