Email idiocy is exposing private documents

NEWS The statistic is the result of a survey by Swiss e-security firm Upaq and Melissa Zieger, marketing communications manager at Upaq, believes these kinds of security breach are becoming more commonplace. Zieger said: "I myself have received numerous emails. It's usually user error with the email address books, and people typing in names wrongly. "I've personally been sent company protocols from partner firms that we've just been in meetings with - information I shouldn't have seen." According to the same survey a staggering 95 per cent of users expect to become victims of internet fraud - a pessimism not helped by the fact that 57 per cent of those surveyed leave themselves wide open to fraud by sending personal bank details via email. The survey revealed a public that is largely ill-informed and ignorant about security issues and Zieger said companies should take greater responsibility in helping people understand the different security options available to them. However, she added that users should try to remain vigilant and use their common sense to avoid being ripped off. She said: "People have no idea what happens to their credit card details once a transaction has been completed. People must start to read the small print and make sure they're not dealing with a fly-by-night firm."