Kaspersky Lab Educates About Fraud In Africa

A recent KPMG Fraud Barometer survey has found that African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and South Africa account for 74% of all fraud type cases reported in Africa.

In fact, in Kenya alone, it has been reported that more than 30% of medicines sold in the country are fake and as a result could harm consumers.

Says Bethwel Opil, Channel Sales Manager for East Africa at Kaspersky Lab; “With the reality of fraud instances growing in Africa, coupled with the growth of technology innovation and broadband access in Kenya, it must be noted that fraud in the Healthcare sector is merely just one example of how fraudulent activity can affect consumers and business alike. In fact, the same realities exist in the software market and at Kaspersky Lab, we are dedicated to educating consumers about the impact of using grey and fraudulent products, in an aim to protect our users.”

IT Security threats grow in numbers by the day.

According to Kaspersky Security Network data, Kaspersky Lab products detected and neutralised over 1 billion threats in Q3 of 2012 alone. The figure was similar for Q2. Continues Opil; “Such realities prove a clear case for a stronger focus on why consumers should use effective security solutions – to ensure their encounter online is safe and protected. As a result, to ensure the protection of their online environment we stress that the purchasing of effective security solutions is done through an authorised and legal channel.”

Should consumers make use of products that are grey/free or have been purchased for a cheaper cost through an illegal channel, the customer experience suffers and the full level of protection cannot be fully received. Consumers may think they have effectively protected themselves and that their devices are prepared for surfing the Internet, however there are aspects that consumers still need to consider.

“It is for this reason as to why at Kaspersky Lab we are not only passionate about educating consumers on the topic of IT Security, but stress the importance of not making use of manipulated or grey type products, as full protection cannot be guaranteed.”

Making use of original and certified products will ensure users benefit from the stipulated features of the product. For Kaspersky Lab, this includes Kaspersky’s Security Network (KSN), a service giving access to the Kaspersky Lab knowledge base – dedicated to assigning reputation to files, Internet resources and software, as well as software security updates that take place on a regular basis, to protect the device at all times.

“We want to educate consumers on the risks they take when using grey products or products purchased through an illegal distribution channel – to highlight the fact that they won’t fully benefit from all the benefits and security features that the products have to offer, as essentially it may very well not be the real product. Our products are aimed at protecting our users from the growing dangers that lurk on the Internet, where we offer a range of valued added benefits.

 Kaspersky Lab is committed to offering customers the best in Internet security. If products are purchased through the relevant channels, Kaspersky Lab is able to control how effectively the products work and in return, the experience for the user,” concludes Opil.