Fear of internet crime is on the increase, according to Get Safe Online’s second annual report[1]. At the start of Get Safe Online Week, the report, which was released today, reveals 21% of people think e-crime is the type of crime they are most likely to encounter, up from 17% last year, and they fear it more than mugging, car theft and burglary.

The new research from www.getsafeonline.orgsuggests growing fear of internet crime is deterring the public from using the internet for everyday activities. Nearly a quarter (24%) are too concerned to bank online, nearly a fifth (18%) won’t shop online and one in six (17%) are so concerned they have been put off logging on all together.

Call to action

Get Safe Online Week, which commences with an internet safety summit this morning, will involve a series of events, roadshows[2]and training sessions nationwide, aimed at providing the general public with the information they need to protect themselves when using the internet. Experts will be on hand in ‘safety zones’ in shopping centres across the country, where they will give the public advice and information on how they can protect themselves online.

Nearly three quarters of (72%) those questioned for this year’s report said they needed more information to arm themselves against online threats and 40% are still not sure where to seek advice. Last year’s roadshow campaign resulted in an increase of nearly 30% in the public ensuring they were more secure online and the Get Safe Online want to build on this.

The Summit will bring together stakeholders from government, industry and the public sector to discuss internet crime and public information on this issue. Delegates will be offered the opportunity to sign a Memorandum of Understanding[3], stating their commitment to help protect the general public when they are using the internet and to promote Get Safe Online as a source of free, up-to-the-second information and advice about how to keep safe.

Pat McFadden, Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office said; “Fear of online crime is an important issue that must not be ignored. Provided people take sensible precautions to protect themselves and their families, there is no reason why they cannot enjoy the great social and economic benefits the internet provides. 

“Campaigns like Get Safe Online are here to provide the public with the support and help necessary to ensure they can use the internet safely and confidently, in a society and economy that increasingly relies on the internet to live and work. The Get Safe Online awareness week is a ‘call to action’ for the general public, businesses and organisations to come together and help combat this issue.”

Following the seminar, the Get Safe Online Roadshow will take a team of experts to cities throughout the UK to offer free advice on online safety issues and to provide training sessions at UK Online and Age Concern centres. Get Safe Online will also reach people on the web, through campaign website www.getsafeonline.org, with the launch of an internet safety blog (www.getsafeonlineblog.org) and through a campaign on social networking site, Bebo.

Tony Neate, Managing Director of Get Safe Online said: “It’s vital we make people aware of resources such as www.getsafeonline.org to ensure they continue to use the internet safely and confidently. Get Safe Online is committed to this long term awareness campaign. It is about education and making people aware that, yes, these dangers are real, but armed with the right knowledge, we can all continue to enjoy using the internet securely.”

The Get Safe Online campaign, which is now in its second year, is the UK’s first national internet security awareness campaign. A joint initiative between the government, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and private sector sponsors from the worlds of technology, retail and finance, the campaign continue to raise awareness, primarily through the campaign website www.getsafeonline.org.

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