In support of National Cyber Security Awareness Week, PayPal Australia is partnering with the Federal Government, The Centre for Internet Safety at the University of Canberra (CIS) and Crime Stoppers to educate consumers on online and mobile safety. With 9 million Australians shopping online[1], cybercrime continues to be a major issue affecting the nation’s economy, with the ACCC reporting $85 million in losses from internet scams in 2011[2].
As a leader in payments, PayPal protects the financial information of its 4.5 million active Australian users and over 50,000 merchant account holders as they transact online. New research from PayPal Australia reveals Australian consumers need more education to ensure they protect their personal information as new technologies emerge. One in six Australian smartphone users (16%) have lost, misplaced or had their phone stolen in the last year, but only 30 per cent remotely wiped their data after losing their smartphone and less than half (43%) changed their online passwords[3]. Many Australians have not even set up a first line of defense for their smartphone as half (49%) of Australian smartphone users don’t use a passcode on their mobile device, according to the secure payments provider[4].
When consumers transact through PayPal, their personal information is never stored on the physical device and never shared with businesses they are transacting with, ensuring that they are provisioned with an additional layer of protection should their smartphone be stolen or lost.
PayPal is continuing its relationship with CIS with a partnership to roll out the ‘
Surf Between The Flags campaign’, an educational roadshow aimed at educating rural and regional Australia about how to protect themselves while searching and shopping online. The roadshow will be visiting 15 towns across Australia, speaking to small businesses, entrepreneurs, parents, teachers, and senior citizens about how to stay safe online.
Jeff Clementz, managing director of PayPal Australia said: “Responsibly enabling payments continues to be at the core of our business. The explosion of mobile technology and high consumer demand is continuing to drive growth in mobile commerce, with PayPal Australia expecting mobile payments volume to experience five times year-on-year growth in 2012. Globally, PayPal is forecast to reach $7 billion in mobile payments volume by the end of this year, up from $4 billion in 2011. We’re pleased to be partnering with The Centre for Internet Safety to help Australians transact safely and securely online, ensuring their personal information is protected across all their devices.“
“While consumers have become more aware of the risks associated with the digital world, more education is needed to ensure they protect their financial information as new technologies emerge. Australian consumers are now more connected than ever before, with a vast amount of personal information being stored on mobile devices. With PayPal’s digital wallet, we store the financial information of our 4.5 million customers in the cloud, ensuring that their sensitive data is safeguarded by our world class anti-fraud system.”
Alastair MacGibbon, director at CIS said: “Our partnership with PayPal through Surf Between the Flags will provide consumers with the relevant tools to protect their personal information as they continue to use technology in their everyday lives. Consumers need to ensure they stay vigilant, remaining mindful of the digital footprint they leave when they explore the online space.”
PayPal Australia is also continuing its strong partnership with Crime Stoppers to educate Australians about online safety.
“As technology evolves, cyber criminals become more adept at targeting consumers on various technology devices. Education is paramount to ensuring that Australian consumers are armed with the knowledge to protect themselves while enjoying the convenience of shopping online and on their mobiles,” said Peter Price OAM, director of Crime Stoppers Australia.
National Cyber Security Awareness Week has developed some tips to help both consumers and businesses secure their mobile devices. To view these tips, click
here.
[1] PayPal Secure Insight: Changing The Way We Pay, Forrester Consulting, Q3 2010
[2] Targeting Scams, ACCC, March 2012
[3] PureProfile survey, 14 May 2012
[4] PureProfile survey, 14 May 2012
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Notes to editor:
The survey referenced in this media release was conducted by Pure Profile, and commissioned by PayPal Australia. The sample size was 1,000 smartphone users, and the survey was completed on 14 May 2012.
About PayPal
PayPal allows people to send and receive money without sharing financial information. With 4.5 million active accounts in Australia, consumers have the flexibility to pay online or with any connected mobile device using their account balances, bank accounts or credit cards. Consumers can purchase goods with PayPal in 190 markets and 24 currencies around the world, PayPal enables global ecommerce. With over 50,000 merchant partners in Australia, PayPal is an option for Australian businesses to transact online, from sole proprietors to established large merchants. PayPal is an eBay Inc company.
The PayPal online payment service is provided to Australian customers by PayPal Australia Pty. Limited ABN 93 111 195 389 ("PayPal") which holds Australian financial services licence number 304962. Before deciding to sign-up or use the PayPal service you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement, available at
www.paypal.com.au. This media release is provided for information purposes only and is not intended as financial product advice. To sign up to our RSS feed to receive regular PayPal news please visit
www.paypal-media.com/au.
About Stay Smart Online
Stay Smart Online is an Australian Government initiative, supported by National Cyber Security Awareness Week, held annually in partnership with more than 700 industry, consumer and community organisations, and all levels of government. The Awareness Week – from 12 to 15 June 2012 – aims to help Australians understand the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online. For more information and hints and tips to help you Stay Smart Online, visit
www.staysmartonline.gov.au
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