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INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

20% of SA online users allow apps access to mics and webcams

lmost a fifth (18%) of online users in South Africa always give apps and
Aservices permission to access their microphone or webcam, according to
a global study of 15,000 people conducted by Kaspersky.
However, overall awareness of webcam security is promisingly high, with
just over six-in-ten people (63%) worried that someone could be watching
them through their webcam without them knowing, and 65% concerned
that this could be done via malicious software. This points to the likelihood
of more people proactively protecting their technology in the future, as they
adapt to remote working and the role of collaborative applications.
Over the past year, the reliance on video conferencing has led to a
colossal growth in apps such as Microsoft Teams, which as of June 2020 grew
by 894%, compared with its base usage in February 2020. It has also brought
about a near worldwide shortage on webcams with many leading suppliers
seeing vastly increased demand.
Understandably, with these technologies and apps helping people to
navigate the events of the past year across work, social and entertainment
needs, people have expressed a willingness to allow app access to their
microphones and cameras. These tools have served as an enricher and
facilitator of everyone’s sudden digital transitions. Globally this has led to
27% of people aged 25-34 always permitting access, according to Kaspersky
research. This is less common among older age demographics, however, with
38% of respondents aged 55 years and older revealing that they never give arranged by businesses for their employees – especially as audio and
apps and services such access. video devices are now widely used for remote work,” comments Marina
The best way to balance sufficient caution, while continuing to benefit Titova, head of consumer product marketing at Kaspersky.
from modern means of communication, would be to exercise mindful
consideration around the apps and services people are using and what To feel safer while using webcams, and to ensure that the rise in virtual
permissions they request. For example, if a video calling app has camera communication is met with an equal rise in people protecting their
permissions, that would make sense, but if there is an app without any privacy and safety, Kaspersky offers the following advice:
relevant functionality requesting access to a person’s mic for no justifiable 1. Invest in a simple, dedicated webcam cover to provide peace of mind
reason, it might be better to investigate and explore permissions. when the tool isn’t being used.
These findings largely strike that balance and highlight people’s 2. Use an effective security solution that offers advanced protection
emerging need to feel safe in today’s digital world, without missing out and covers multiple devices including PC, Mac, Android, and iOS
on the role that cameras and collaboration apps are set to play in the new devices. Apps like Kaspersky Security Cloud can protect you against
remote working world. unauthorised access to the mic.
“For sure, many people aren’t instantly familiar with security protocols 3. Analyse which of your current applications are currently permitted to
related to webcam usage and cybersecurity processes. However, what we access your webcam or microphone and remove permissions where
are observing now is a strong positive trend of increased awareness around this is not necessary.
online safety and potential threats. This leads to more proactive consumer 4. For a deeper dive into online privacy on social networks, we
behaviour, such as taking preventive actions and checking permissions recommend using our Privacy Checker, a simple tool that describes
before allowing video and microphone access. We also expect that the rise in each and every setting in a chosen social network and gives advice on
cybersecurity consciousness will be supported by security awareness training how to set it up for different levels of privacy on different platforms. n

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