Extensive use of technology during the novel coronavirus pandemic is exposing people in Hong Kong to serious cybersecurity risks and scams, a new survey by HSBC has found.
The bank advised the public to take greater care in keeping their passwords safe when using mobile phones and internet banking. For example, they should avoid using public computers and Wi-Fi to for e-banking services,and disable Bluetooth if they are not using it
The survey showed that more than half of Hong Kong respondents
have encountered online scams. Of these, one third of them had incurred
financial losses averaging HK$2,811 from cyberattacks or scams.
The bank advised the public to take greater care in keeping their passwords
safe when using mobile phones and internet banking. For example, they should
avoid using public computers and Wi-Fi to for e-banking services,and disable Bluetooth if they are not using it.
“Even the most secure banking services can be vulnerable if
customers are not aware of the need to protect their savings from cyber
thieves,” said Greg Hingston, HSBC head of wealth and personal banking (Asia
Pacific and Hong Kong).
The survey on Hong Kong cybersecurity was conducted in February
and covered 1,005 local residents aged between 18 and 55.
Respondents as a whole scored 72.6 out of 100 when measured across
three areas -- cybersecurity knowledge, attitude, and behavior -- while scoring
only 68.1 for behavior and 77 for attitude. It also found that only 8.5 percent
of respondents scored over 80 across the three areas.
Compared with the surveyed X and Y generation, who are aged
between 25 to 55, Z generation aged between 18 to 24 received the highest
scores in terms of knowledge and attitude, but the lowest for behavior.
Alison Chan, HSBC digital messaging & content head of wealth
and personal banking (Hong Kong), said the survey showed Hong Kong people were
aware of cybersecurity, but they were not doing enough to safeguard themselves
against cyberattacks.
She noted that HSBC has recorded double-digit growth in digital
banking transactions over the past few months.
Recently, video conference app Zoom, whose daily users surged to
100 million in March amid the pandemic, revealed it had suffered safety and
privacy breaches. HSBC responded that the bank has been constantly reviewing
security and providing its staff with safety guidelines.
