Symantec Annual Survey Reveals UAE Internet Users Fear Online Shopping

Symantec Annual Survey Reveals UAE Internet Users Fear Online Shopping

Symantec’s second annual consumer survey of more than 400
UAE residents who regularly use the Internet has revealed that 75
percent of respondents do not shop online due to fears that the
Internet is “unsafe” and “too risky”, adopting methods of avoidance
over the installation of protection programs.
The survey also revealed a shocking 78 percent of respondents
who transact online do so with no protection. Symantec says
these findings are a worrying increase compared to last year’s
survey results which found only 47 precent of respondents had
security solutions in place. Additionally for the second year hacking
and credit card fraud remained a front of mind security threat even
though 92 percent of respondents have never experienced any
form of fraudulent activities.
“The annual survey results demonstrate a lack of willingness on
the part of consumers to be proactive when it comes to protecting
themselves from online threats even though there are several easyto-
install security solutions available,” stated Kevin Isaac, MENA
Regional Director, Symantec.
“Consumer security products require minimal maintenance once
installed. They are easy to use and have automatic updates and
operations that run in the background, almost invisible to the user.
It is vital that consumers start making the effort to become more
educated about Internet risks and protection methods so they can
shop, bank and interact online fearlessly.”