Your mother should know (how you use your computer at college)

A new report by internet security specialist Webroot on the eve of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) asked over 500 mothers with kids leaving for college this year about the security of their offspring's computers.

Among the findings are that a worrying 24.45 percent of moms report that their child does not have a security solution installed on their laptop or computer. The reasons for this are interesting, with 37.4 percent not having thought about it, 34.15 percent because they said the machine came with security already, and 17.07 percent who don't believe security is necessary.

"Almost 40 percent of survey respondents said they just didn't think to install cybersecurity, and almost 20 percent don't think it's necessary. That's why NCSAM, as well as other initiatives to educate the general public about the dangers they face in cyberspace, are crucial," says Grayson Milbourne, security intelligence director at Webroot. "From sophisticated malware to spear phishing and ransomware, cybercrime continues to get more advanced. People who are not concerned or aware of internet risks make easy targets. As we're faced with an increasing number of high-profile hacks, individuals need to be more cautious than ever about the websites they visit, the URLs they follow from emails and social networks, and the apps they use".

Despite lack of awareness of security products, mothers are concerned about the internet safety of kids at college, with 11.93 percent being 'very worried' and 55.67 percent 'somewhat worried'. Their views on what is likely to have the biggest repercussions on their child’s identity are interesting too. 69.18 percent believe downloading free music and movies is the biggest risk, but only 30.82 percent say it’s visiting porn sites.

When it comes to the biggest risk students face stolen identity comes out on top, just ahead of stolen financial information. Hacked social networks and private photos being released rank third and fourth. But although ID theft is the biggest worry, 62 percent of mothers are 'somewhat' to 'not at all' confident that if their child's identity was stolen, they would know what actions to take.

You can find more information about NCSAM at staysafeonline.org.

Image Credit: Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock