New IDX Survey Says…Teleworking Is Up, and So Are Security Risks

Get the latest consumer insights and learn how to securely WFH in our recent on-demand webcast

For many Americans, the rush-hour commute is now a short stroll to the kitchen table or home office. A new IDX consumer report found that due to COVID-19 more than 70% of Americans are teleworking, and 62% have signed up for more tools and platforms to work, study, or play.

And as always, scammers, hackers, and other cyber-sneaks are exploiting this WFH trend for personal gain. “In this present crisis, many Americans have transitioned to working from home but may not be aware of the increased risks facing their privacy and security,” said Tom Kelly, president and CEO of IDX.

Consumer Privacy During COVID-19 Watch Free Webcast

Kelly who recently briefed U.S. Senate staffers on teleworking security, added, “It’s especially crucial that Americans take practical steps in order to protect themselves from the specific threats facing employees with access to valuable data.”

The Security Risks We All Face

That’s good advice. More than 80% of respondents in our survey said that they are concerned about COVID-19-related email, phone or text phishing scams, as well as malware attacks due to the pandemic. The FBI warns consumers to be on high alert for scams such as phishing emails asking you to verify your personal information so you can receive money from the government in the form of an economic stimulus check. Nearly one-fifth of all phishing emails identified on the Gmail platform—more than 18 million daily—contain coronavirus or COVID-19-related content.

What’s more, hackers are using Zoom to invade our privacy, steal our security, and expose us—and our children—to malicious content. The term Zoombombing refers to hackers joining Zoom virtual events uninvited and using hateful or inappropriate language and images to disrupt the meeting. Teachers transitioning to distance learning have been particularly affected by this trend.

On Thursday, April 30th IDX hosted a complimentary webinar, Consumer Privacy During the COVID-19 Lockdown. Doug Pollack, CIPP/US, CMO of IDX, and Jorge Zelaya, CISO of IDX, explored the changes happening in the cyber threat landscape and shared ways to protect the security of your organization during COVID-19.

Webcast topics included:

• Key findings of IDX April 2020 survey on consumer privacy under COVID-19
• Best practices to ensure organizational security under COVID-19
• The latest tips for staying secure
• Good cyber threat hygiene for employees working from home

We’ll have the on-demand webcast available shortly. Until then, you can see the full results and findings from our April 2020 survey on consumer privacy under COVID-19.

Consumer Privacy During COVID-19 Watch Free Webcast