Cybercrime hits nearly three out of four online users in U.S.

Most Internet users are well aware of the risks they face when surfing the web. Still, the just released 2010 Norton Cybercrime Report reveals in startling detail just how widespread cybercrimes really are. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Internet users worldwide, and nearly three-quarters of those in the U.S., have been victimized by some type of online criminal activity. The toll in terms of time and money lost is not insignificant. But what could be even more important is that cybercrime often leaves its victims feeling just as helpless and fearful as if they were mugged at the gunpoint.

Being victimized

According to the report's findings, victims of online crimes are subject to a range of emotional responses. Anger and annoyance lead the list, but many also say that they feel violated, frustrated, disgusted, distrustful and more. Most (nearly 80 percent) say that they expect that the cybercriminal will never be caught -- and many never even report the crime to their financial institutions or the police. When it comes to online scams, phishing attacks and virus attacks, the majority of victims blame themselves for the crime.

Such reactions come as no surprise to Dr. Joseph LaBrie, associate professor of psychology at Loyola Marymount University. “These feelings are normal and realistic -- they are the same feelings a victim in the offline world experiences” Dr. LaBrie says in the report.

Fighting back

The Norton Cybercrime Report also outlines some steps you can take to help prevent falling victim to an online crime. Most are common-sense things like don't give out personal information, don't open attachments or click on links from people you don't know, and watch out for offers that are too good to be true. Some other advice includes using separate email address for different financial accounts, using different and complex passwords for your accounts, and using a dedicated credit card with a small limit for online purchases.

Of course, robust security software is also an important part of the equation. ConsumerSearch offers reports on antivirus software, anti-spyware software, spam filters, parental control software, complete security suites and more. There, you can find some of the top security software choices according to expert reviews and user feedback.

Inside the numbers

Over 7,000 Internet users in 14 countries were interviewed for the 2010 Norton Cybercrime Report, conducted by StrategyOne, an independent market research firm. Not surprisingly, the most common type of cybercrime is a virus attack. Other types of reported cybercrimes include online scams, phishing scams, credit-card fraud, social network profile hacks and sexual predation.

The cost of cybercrime is indeed high in terms of money and time. According to the survey, resolving a cybercrime can take nearly a month on average. However, world-wide, nearly a third of cybercrimes are never resolved. The average cybercrime costs its victim around $334. Here's the bottom line: Taking the necessary online security precautions can potentially save you a lot of headaches, financial and otherwise.