Editorial: Don’t be a cyberattack victim

The islands are a hot spot for everyday cyberattacks, according to a “moment-in-time” nationwide study compiled with FBI data collected during 2016 and 2017. Hawaii ranked in the No. 5 spot for victim rates, with nearly 317 per 100,000 residents reporting complaints.

Topping the overall list for the most common reports: consumers duped by non-payment or non-delivery scams; personal data breaches; and phishing — unsolicited emails that resemble those from real companies, such as a bank asking for a password update. An unsuspecting consumer’s next click could give hackers access to their computer and personal information stored there.

The study, dubbed “Which States Are at Highest Risk for Cyberattacks?,” was issued this week by California-based Security.org. It noted that the FBI’s Internet Crime Report tallied more than $1.4 billion in losses reported by victims in 2017, including nearly $3.4 million in Hawaii.

It’s not surprising that amount of losses climbed by consumer age — most dramatically in the 50-and-older bracket. Hawaii is viewed as vulnerable because of two large populations: seniors, who tend to be less tech-savvy than younger generations; and residents for whom English is not a first language. Both types of consumers can be easy targets for hackers.

What to do? Keep abreast on the latest tips regarding how to guard against an attack. Among the local go-to sources for guidance: the Honolulu Police Department, AARP Hawaii and the Better Business Bureau.