Microsoft has always been dedicated to securing its users from cyber-threats. The company also understands that cybersecurity isn’t limited to creating anti-virus software or pushing security updates. It has a lot to do with user behavior. Thus, it conducts regular surveys to judge the approach of users towards cybersecurity.
Indians most likely to encounter fake news
In a recently conducted survey to judge the online civility of users and release a digital civility index. The survey audience included respondents from across the globe including India. The results were both interesting and concerning.
The primary threats encountered were receiving offensive or obscene content, encountering fake news, and encountering internet hoaxes. Interestingly, Indians were more vulnerable to fake news and internet hoaxes, precisely speaking, 7 points above the national average.
The study showed that teenagers are the most vulnerable to every kind of cyber threat, and this was quite predictable. However, unlike earlier, more and more teenagers are ready to seek help from their parents or other adults.
Unfortunately, 29% of online abusers have been either family or friends, which has resulted in the loss of trust amongst the respondents. This has further been noted as the reason for stress and insomnia in the offline lives of the respondents.
The word online civility or digital civility refers to civil behavior online to establish a peaceful online society. This needs as many efforts by netizens, as by regulating authorities. While addressing the problems, Microsoft has also suggested solutions for the same.
- Treat online encounter with dignity and respect. Being a compassionate person allows others to respond in the same manner.
- Handle disagreements and differences in opinion in a mature way. Name-calling and personal attacks, as childish as they are, constitute abuse.
- Think before you reply. Impulsively responding to someone’s opinion, hurting their sentiments, damaging their reputation, or threatening someone’s security, is uncivilized behavior.
- Report online threats and abusive behavior and retain evidence of the same, to deter perpetrators.
For more information on the subject, please check this reference on Microsoft’s official website.
