Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report Reveals 74% Indian adults who

 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report Reveals 74% Indian adults who have been in a romantic relationship admit to stalking their current or former partners online

• 59% of Indian adults believe online stalking is okay if it to check on their partner’s physical safety or mental well-being
• 46% of Indian adults admit they are more likely to stalk a current/former partner online if they know they will not get caught

NortonLifeLock (NASDAQ: NLOK), a global leader in consumer Cyber Safety, today unveiled new findings from its 2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report. Conducted in partnership with The Harris Poll, the 2021 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Special Release – Online Creeping surveyed over 10,000 adults 18+ across 10 countries[1], including 1,000 Indian adults, to assess consumers’ online habits and whether it diverges into cyber stalking. According to the report, 74% of Indian adults who have been in a romantic relationship admitted to “stalking” their current/former partner online without their knowledge or consent.

The most common forms of “stalking,” it was revealed, were reviewing the search history on their partner’s device (32%); checking text messages, phone calls, direct messages, emails or photos on their partner’s device (31%); and tracking their partner’s location through a location-sharing app (29%) – all without their partner’s knowledge or consent. Furthermore, 26% said that they used their knowledge of their partner’s passwords to access the latter’s devices and online accounts, while 25% used an app to surreptitiously monitor their text messages, phone calls, direct messages, emails, or photos.

Among those who had stalked a current or former partner, 39% said they wanted to make sure they were safe physically and/or mentally; 36% said they wanted to know what their partner was doing; while 33% claimed they took to online stalking when they found out that their partners were doing the same to them.

“For most people, checking up on someone online is not a crime. However, this behaviour becomes problematic when it becomes a pattern, wherein technology is used to track someone’s activities," said Ritesh Chopra, Director Sales and Field Marketing, India & SAARC Countries, NortonLifeLock. “The report suggests that almost half of Indian adults would be more likely to stalk their current/former partner online if they knew they wouldn’t get caught. It is therefore crucial for Indians to understand the difference between checking up and stalking someone.”

It is interesting to note that 52% of Indian adults believe that it is harmless to stalk a current/former partner online; 59% believe that online stalking is okay if it is to check on their partner’s physical or mental well-being; 53% say that online stalking is justified if either or both partners have cheated or have been suspected of cheating; while 51% say they don’t care about being stalked online as long as they are not stalked in person.

There’s limited awareness in India about stalkerware or creepware; only 32% are familiar with it, 35% have only heard the name, while 33% are unaware of it. However, 54% of Indian adults who are currently in a romantic relationship believe that their partner is likely to download stalkerware/creepware on their device or have already done so. This belief is more pronounced amongst the younger generation (58% under the age of 40) as compared to the older generation (41% above the age of 40).

7 Things Our Experts Recommend for Your

7 Things Our Experts Recommend for Your Cyber Safety In The Age of Remote Working

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed a lot of norms of corporate lifestyle, especially when it comes to both, the ‘work’ and the ‘working space’. The concept of remote working is something that everyone has gotten used to and is likely to be a future that employees even opt for. However, an increase in online exposure also comes with an increase in cyber threats. While individuals seek opportunities that allow remote work, they now must be cautious about equipping cybersecurity and data protection tools. The world has witnessed a growing number of vulnerabilities through targeted data breaches, especially in the past few months. Cybercrime in various forms - identity theft, data breaches, and online frauds, and others – is on the rise.

According to the 2019 NortonLifeLock Cyber Safety Insights Report, 39% of respondents in India have witnessed identity theft in the past year. 2020 has been an eye-opener for many users – those who were unaware of cybersecurity risks as well as those who did not expect to be targeted. It is more important than ever for working professionals to be vigilant about cybersecurity, given the fact that the practice of remote working might continue even after the pandemic.

A few years ago, there was a notable rise in the number of “Digital Nomads” – individuals who chose to work remotely to create a lifestyle that allowed them to travel the world. The circumstances are different today; people are choosing to work remotely for a different reason, but it’s possible that the “nomadic” trend might recur at some point once the pandemic abates. At any rate, we need to prepare well for this change in working environment. Working remotely opens the company's network and data to external cyber threats.

Here are 7 things our Cyber Safety experts recommend for those working remotely:

1. Keep close contact with your employer

Your employer might consolidate coronavirus-related information on the company intranet. It is important to know new policies to help keep you, your coworkers, and the business safe.

2. Use what is in your company’s tech toolbox

Companies often have tech tools that can help keep you Cyber Safe when you work from home. They likely include firewall and antivirus protection, along with security features like VPN and 2-factor authentication.

3. Control the impulse to improvise

Employees often work in teams, and that can mean using collaboration tools like instant-messaging platforms and video-meeting rooms. If a tool is not working right, you might be tempted to download a substitute. You could inadvertently introduce a software program with a security flaw — and that means someone unauthorized may be able to access company data, or any personal data you have on that device.

4. Stay current on software updates and patches

You might get reminders that software updates are available for all your devices. Updates help patch security flaws and help protect your data.

5. Keep your VPN turned on

A VPN — short for virtual private network — can provide a secure link between employees and businesses by encrypting data. A VPN helps keep information secure from cybercriminals and competitors.

6. Beware of coronavirus-themed phishing emails

Cybercriminals are exploiting the coronavirus outbreak to send fake emails with dangerous links to employees. By clicking on an unknown link, you are likely to download malware onto your device. Immediately report the phishing attempt to your employer. A phishing email with malicious software could allow cybercriminals to take control of your computer or access sensitive business information and financial data.

7. Develop a new routine

Working from home requires changing your routine. But it also involves structuring your day to work efficiently and maintain contact with your team. Take steps to avoid letting that happen. Reach out and stay engaged with your colleagues.

While working remotely, it is important to be extra-cautious about phishing attacks and other forms of cyberthreat. We need to understand that online safety is a shared responsibility, and it begins with everyone. The pandemic has given us as opportune a circumstance as any to become more conscious of our cyber footprint and to constantly be on our guard against possible cyberattacks. Let us use it to secure ourselves, our work, and all that is important to us.

To read further in detail on remote working, link to blog here.