Cyber security is not about machines. It is about trying to stop people falling victim to what is called social engineering – doing silly things, wittingly or otherwise, with computers. Up to 90 percent of cyber attacks take place because computer users are both busy and gullible, a deadly combination. They open files they shouldn’t. They click on dodgy links. They put their details on social media. They use personal devices to access work files.
Recently some 40,000 Tesco Bank customers in the UK became the latest victims of a cyber attack. Cash was stolen from about half of them. The theft of money, as well as data, creates a new worry for financial institutions. If it becomes commonplace, customers may be scared off online banking platforms.
