Allot MobileTrends Report Finds Fans Risk for Cyber Threats Doubles During UEFA Euro 2016

HOD HASHARON, Israel, July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Allot and Kaspersky Lab highlight the behavioral profiles most at risk of online threats during sports events, and how CSPs can deliver network-based services to protect their experience 

Allot Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: ALLT), a leading provider of security and monetization solutions that enable service providers to protect and personalize the digital experience, today released Allot MobileTrends Report UEFA Euro 2016: How Sports Events Put Mobile Users at Risk, in collaboration with Kaspersky Lab, a global cyber security company. The report reveals that the risks for digitally active sports fans more than doubled during the 2016 UEFA European Championship. The report also provides insights into how major events impact online behaviors and increase the potential for mobile internet users to fall victim to cyber threats such as malware infection, phishing and ransomware.

Key Findings: 

• 17% of mobile users who exhibited little or no use of sports apps or websites before the games, became active sports fans during the games. Nearly 50% of these "casual fans" transitioned into sports fans' behavior profiles with high potential risk for malware.
• The total number of mobile sports fans at high risk for cyber threats more than doubled during the games.
• Increases in online sports betting and social networking are major contributors to increased cyber security risk.
• The number of mobile sports fans accessing betting sites more than doubled during the tournament's matches. Before the matches, 1 in 9 users visited sports betting sites. During the matches, 1 in 4 visited sports betting sites.
• During matches, the average time users spent on social media apps or sites tripled over their pre-tournament activity.

"Cyber-criminals often use big events to lure users with phishing emails and fake websites, exposing fans to intensified and new potential cyber risks. Users should be aware of potential threats and lookout when clicking on links, entering their credentials on websites or making financial transactions." noted Alexander Karpitsky, Head of Technology Licensing, Kaspersky Lab. "We at Kaspersky Lab recommend sports fans take a proactive approach to their online security, especially when mobile, safeguarding their devices with IT security solutions at all times."

"As sports fans are going mobile and devices are used widely for watching, recording, and sharing experiences, users must protect themselves online, and CSPs are in the best position to deliver these value added services to subscribers," said Yaniv Sulkes, AVP Marketing at Allot Communications. "Since major sports events are shown to be times of high risk for mobile users, it's also when mobile service providers have an opportunity to educate customers regarding malware risks and to offer network-based security services to protect mobile devices. With Rio 2016 Summer Olympics on the horizon, mobile operators who adopt a proactive cyber protection strategy for their customers will be able to leverage monetization opportunities."

Methodology 

The Allot research team analyzed the mobile app and website usage of one million randomly selected mobile subscribers from countries participating in EUFA Euro 2016 before and during the matches. Based on data from Kaspersky Lab, Allot's data science experts segmented the digitally active sports fans according to their online behavior and correlated them with their potential risk according to specific online use categories with a high potential risk. Full details can be found in the report.

About Allot Communications 

Allot Communications Ltd. (NASDAQ, TASE: ALLT) is a leading provider of security and monetization solutions that enable service providers to protect and personalize the digital experience. Allot's flexible and highly scalable service delivery framework leverages the intelligence in data networks enabling service providers to get closer to their customers; to safeguard network assets and users; and to accelerate time-to-revenue for value-added services. We employ innovative technology, proven know-how and a collaborative approach to provide the right solution for every network environment. Allot solutions are currently deployed at 5 of the top 10 global mobile operators and in thousands of CSP and enterprise networks worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.allot.com .

About Kaspersky Lab 

Kaspersky Lab is a global cyber security company founded in 1997. Kaspersky Lab's deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into security solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company's comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection and a number of specialized security solutions and services to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky Lab technologies and we help 270,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at http://www.kaspersky.com.

Contacts

Allot Communications
Sigalit Orr
+972-9-761-9171
sorr@allot.com
 
Red Lorry Yellow Lorry for Allot Communications
Emma Davies
+44(0)20-7403-8878
allot@rlyl.com

Kaspersky Lab

PRHQ prhq@kaspersky.com