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u*c +'(*'%(% ± The next time you surf the Internet,

consider this: you might just be one click away from becoming the next cybercrime victim. A new study released
today from security software maker Norton, reveals the prevalence of cybercrime in the Philippines where 87 percent
of Internet users have fallen victim to cybercrimes, including computer viruses, online scams and phishing. This silent
digital epidemic is the result of consumers¶ apathy, which leaves them vulnerable and exposed in the online world.
The à
 



  sheds light on the personal toll cybercrime takes. The first study
to examine the emotional impact of cybercrime, it showed that Filipino victims¶ strongest reactions are anger (60
percent), feeling upset (58 percent) and feeling cheated (50 percent). Although one in five Filipinos blamed the
criminals behind the cybercrime, one third of Filipinos felt highly responsible for cybercriminal activities that resulted
from their response to online scams (38 percent) and phishing attacks (34 percent).
Solving cybercrime can be highly frustrating. According to the report, one in two (47 percent) cybercrime victims in
the Philippines have never fully resolved the cybercrime. This is no surprise when it takes an average of 28 days and
an average cost of PHP12,203 (US$273) to come to a resolution. Twenty-six percent of the respondents said the
biggest issue they faced when dealing with cybercrime was the emotional impact of the situation as they experienced
feelings of anger, stress or embarrassment; and 40 percent said their biggest fear when it comes to being a victim of
cybercrime is the financial loss.

But despite the hassle, reporting a cybercrime is critical. ³We all pay for cybercrime, either directly or through pass-
along costs from our financial institutions,´ said Effendy Ibrahim, Internet safety advocate & consumer business head,
Asia, Symantec. ³Cybercriminals purposely steal small amounts to remain undetected, but all of these add up. If you
fail to report a loss, you may actually be helping the criminal stay under the radar. Ultimately, the cost of resolving
cybercrime is losing money and time ± one way or another the victim is paying a µprice¶ and the impact is not just
financial but emotional too.´
The ³human impact´ aspect of the report delves further into the little crimes or white lies consumers perpetrate
against friends, family, loved ones and businesses. Thirty-four percent of the respondents think it¶s morally okay to
download a music single or movie without paying and 22 percent believe it is legal to secretly view someone else¶s
browser history files without their knowledge. These behaviors, such as downloading files, open people up to
additional security threats as cybercriminals lurk in places where people download illegal content and make use of
these channels to distribute malware.

However, it is not all bad news. The good thing is that most people feel that it¶s unethical to hack into someone¶s
online account , sell someone¶s personal information and use someone else¶s personal information online (91
percent respectively). The study shows that digital respect is given as Filipinos¶ online rules include not bullying or
threatening others online (81 percent), not harassing or stalking people online (81 percent) and not passing along
spam (80 percent).

Despite these personal rules, we cannot ignore the alarming finding that 87 percent of Filipinos have been a victim of
cybercrime. The study serves as a stark reminder that there is still a need for people to take simple steps to protect
themselves on the online space.

³People resist protecting themselves and their computers because they think it¶s too complicated,´ said Anne Collier,
co-director of ConnectSafely.org and editor of NetFamilyNews.org, who collaborated with Norton on the global study.
³But everyone can take simple steps, such as having up-to-date, comprehensive security software in place. In the
case of online crime, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.´

The best defense against cybercrime, and the best way to protect yourself, is to surf the Internet with up-to-date,
comprehensive security software such as Norton Internet Security 2011, which was launched today.
³People resist protecting themselves and their computers because they think it¶s too complicated,´ said Anne Collier,
co-director of ConnectSafely.org and editor of NetFamilyNews.org, who collaborated with Norton on the global study.
³But everyone can take simple steps, such as having up-to-date, comprehensive security software in place. In the
case of online crime, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.´

For more tips and insights from this groundbreaking study, or to better understand the alarming extent of cybercrime
globally, please view the global report here Norton Cybercrime Report: The Human Impact .
###

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Symantec¶s Norton products protect consumers from cybercrime with technologies like antivirus, anti-
spyware and phishing protection ² while also being light on system resources. The company also provides services
such as online backup, PC tuneup, and family online safety. Fan Norton on Facebook
atwww.facebook.com/norton and follow @NortonOnline on Twitter.
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Symantec is a global leader in providing security; storage and systems management solutions to help consumers and
organizations secure and manage their information-driven world. Our software and services protect against more
risks at more points, more completely and efficiently, enabling confidence wherever information is used or
stored. More information is available at www.symantec.com.
##
#  If you would like additional information on Symantec Corporation and its products, please visit the
Symantec News Room athttp://www.symantec.com/news.
Symantec and Norton are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S.
and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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The Norton Cybercrime Report: The Human Impact 2010 Philippines is based on research conducted in April 2010 by
The Leading Edge, an independent market research firm, on behalf of Symantec Corporation. The Leading Edge
conducted an online survey among 556 adults aged 18 and above. Sample size comprised of 49% male and 51%
female out of which 26% were 18 to 24 years old; 42% were 25 to 34 years old; 21% were 35 to 44 years old; 11% 45
to 64 years old.

For the purpose of the study, cybercrime is identified as computer viruses/malware, online credit card fraud, online
hacking, online harassment, online identity theft, online scams (i.e., fraudulent lotteries/employment opportunities),
online sexual predation, online phishing.

The study was also conducted globally by an independent market research firm across 7066 adults in 14 countries
(Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden, United
Kingdom and United States).

For the global study, Norton and StrategyOne collaborated with Anne Collier, editor of NetFamilyNews.org and
founder and executive director of its parent organization, Net Family News, Inc. Anne is a writer and journalist who
has worked in the news media since 1980. She co-directs ConnectSafely.org, a Web-based interactive forum and
information site for teens, parents, educators, and everybody interested in the impact of the social Web on youth and
vice versa. ConnectSafely is a project of Net Family News, Inc. Anne has just completed her work as co-chair of the
Obama administration¶s Online Safety & Technology Working Group and serves on the advisory boards of the
London- and Washington-based Family Online Safety Institute and GetNetWise.org, a project of the Washington-
based Internet Education Foundation. In 2008, she served on the Internet Safety Technical Task Force at Harvard
University¶s Berkman Center for Internet & Society