New Index Tracks Cyber-Crime on Daily Basis

Computer security giant, Norton is coming out with a new “CyberCrime Index” that consumers can use, free of charge, to keep up with the rate of cyber security threats – on a daily basis.

At first glance, the Norton effort doesn’t look like a pretty site. The CyberCrime Index is chock full of bad news – but it’s news that you can learn a lot by tracking, or at least checking from time to time.

[Consumer Resource: Identity Theft Basics]

To give you an idea, earlier this week the Index stood at a reading of 58, with overall cyber-crime up 2% from the previous day. The site contains a myriad of recent cyber-crime incidents.

The good news? The site is pretty easy to use. Buttons at the bottom of the screen lead you to key statistical data on cyber-crime – like historical trends, fraud alerts, malware and spam alerts. The info included in each niche is revealing. The fraud page, for example offers a ranking of the countries with the most “phishing” activity (the U.S. currently ranks number one).

Overall, the Index monitors more than 130 million servers worldwide to keep track of new threats and attacks.

Norton claims the site has a clear mission – to answer the question, “what is your online risk today?” For this reason, its Dow Jones Index look and feel is intentional, and Norton isn’t exactly apologetic about lifting the “index” model in the name of heightened consumer awareness.

Still, the site should resonate with consumers. Right now, there isn’t exactly one place to go check out “online trouble-spots and potential hazards, including the day’s most dangerous websites, the most hijacked search terms by cyber criminals, as well as top scams, identity theft and spam,” as the site says.

The Index also offers updated news on today’s “most dangerous” threat along with tips and advice on how to keep cyber-crime out of your life.

“Our goal is to have people add the Norton Cybercrime Index to their daily routine to get a clear understanding of the dangers that are threatening them online, and to take preventative action to avoid falling victim,” says Adam Palmer, Norton’s lead cyber security advisor. “Most of us go online daily to work, play, and socialize, and yet it’s one of the most dangerous activities we engage in, because there are so many threats lurking online.”

If you’re up to a daily dose of bad news on the cyber-security front, the Norton Index is for you. There’s a lot to learn from all that bad news, and some of that knowledge just might save your cyber-skin one of these days.