58% Users Receive At Least One Email A Day

58% of users receive at least one email a day, according to a survey by Sophos. 22% users come across 5 or more phishing attempts every day.

58% of users receive at least one email a day, according to a survey by Sophos. 22% users come across 5 or more phishing attempts every day.

The Anti-Phishing Working Group(APWG), of which Sophos is a member, detected 15,244 phishing reports in December 2005, an increase from 8,829 in December 2004.

Carole Theriault, senior security consultant at Sophos, said: “The reason phishing emails are now so prevalent is due to their success rate – every day new users fall victim to these underhand and illegal tactics.

If you receive more than five phishes per day, you’re either alert to the dangers or you’re likely to have been robbed blind. With crooks employing more and more devious methods to dupe users, the best advice is to always be wary of unsolicited emails, and at all costs avoid parting with confidential information.” [Source]

22% of the users received phishing emails atleast once a week and 20% received such emails atleast once a month.

David Jevans, Chairman of the Anti-Phishing Working Group, said: “While organizations have a responsibility to ensure the security of their own websites, they have little control over phishers that exploit their brand behind their backs.

Phishing attacks are likely to become even more targeted in the future, and it will therefore be all the more important for users to display caution. If in doubt, they should contact the relevant organisation to check an email’s authenticity.” [Source]

For more information on the study by Sophos, Source.