StatisticalAnalysisofInternetSecurityThreatsDanielG.pdfVIP

Statistical Analysis of Internet Security Threats Daniel G. James ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to analyze the statistics surrounding the most common security threats faced by Internet users. There is an estimated 1.1 billion Internet users worldwide, therefore it is important to know what security threats your computer may be vulnerable to while using the Internet. Threats discussed in this paper will include spam, phishing, computer viruses, hackers, and spyware/malware. The statistical analysis will show the current percentages of incidents as they relate to different regions of the world as well as discuss the severity of each threat. Most importantly this paper will discuss measures a user can take to defend themselves against these threats and known vulnerabilities. Due to the large number of Internet users, it is probable that many of them are unaware of these threats and what they can and should be doing to protect themselves. With identity theft on the rise, it is imperative to understand Internet security threats now more than ever. The goal of this paper is to help those users understand the seriousness of current Internet security threats and to show them ways to protect their personal information. INTRODUCTION There are many security threats that face computers in the world today, and we are going to look at a few of them as they relate to the Internet. Since its inception, the Internet has grown from original purpose as a military tool to a worldwide phenomenon. According to the latest statistical analysis, it is estimated there are over 1.1 billion Internet users worldwide [1]. The following table provides the statistical breakdown of world Internet usage. Table 1 World Internet Usage and Population Statistics