Chris Hails, NetSafe’s Cyber Security Consultant, shows off the new app for phones and tablets.
New Zealand’s cyber safety and security organisation, NetSafe, is launching a new free app for Android-powered smartphone and tablet owners.
The app will offer advice on computer security and allow users to report scams or frauds, computer system attacks and cyber offending against children directly from their phone.
“The number of smartphone and tablet owners has surged in New Zealand over the past 12 months, and we wanted to produce an app that would put our advice and reporting tools close at hand,” says Chris Hails, NetSafe’s Cyber Security Consultant.
“We decided to develop an Android application first as it’s believed there are double the number of lower priced Android smartphones out there compared with other platforms. We also hoped to put our resources in front of a younger audience.”
The app is available from Google’s Play Store and is described as being perfect for home internet users and small business owners looking for simple and easy to understand computer security information.
Norton’s 2011 CyberCrime Report shows that higher numbers of people aged 18-31 have been victims of online incidents compared with other age groups, says Mr Hails.
NetSafe is a government-sponsored organisation working to educate people on internet safety.
Cyber-crime cost New Zealand an estimated $625 million last year, according to the Norton report, with more than 2,000 Kiwis affected every day by computer viruses and malware, credit card fraud, online scams, phishing and identity theft.
