Brazil police continue digital piracy operations as digital security becomes increasingly worrisome

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Under the coordination of the Integrated Operations Secretariat of the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety (MJSP), the third phase of Operation 404 was launched this Thursday (8), aiming to combat crimes of digital piracy.

The actions are executed by the Civil Police of nine states: Espírito Santo, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Pernambuco, Rondônia, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo.

Read also: Brazil rises 53 places in UN cybersecurity ranking in 2020

The agents are carrying out 11 search and seizure warrants, in addition to blocking and/or suspending illegal streaming content sites and applications, de-indexing content on search engines, and removing profiles and pages on social networks.

The integrated action to combat online piracy also has the collaboration of the embassies of the United States (Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the United Kingdom Department of Justice in Brazil (IPO – Intellectual Property Office and PIPCU – Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit).

Survey shows Brazilians’ concerns about data security in a digital world

A survey commissioned by Mastercard and conducted by the Datafolha Institute found that while 92% of Brazilians are aware that the companies they interact with keep some form of information about their consumption and leisure habits, they fear for the security of their data in the digital environment.

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 representing very secure, 5.1 was the average score given to how secure respondents felt their data was online.

Social networking sites were considered the least trusted environments, while hospitals, medical screening clinics, schools, and colleges were most trusted by respondents.

The study, conducted between January 5 and 8 of this year and involving 1,517 people aged 16 and older, found that only 13% of respondents consider their data “very secure,” while for 21%, it is “not secure.

Nearly 70% of respondents are aware that the data they enter when accessing a social network, making purchases online, or engaging in financial transactions online is stored by these companies and can be used to target offers and services and monitor consumer habits.

The survey also found that fear of cyberattacks is high. 73% of citizens said they had already been victims of a digital threat, such as receiving fake messages from companies or having their passwords stolen.

For this reason, many respondents are taking additional security measures. More than 80% said they avoid clicking on suspicious links, while 75% avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, and 64% have different passwords for each account or application.

“The use of digital services has been boosted by the new coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, scams and cyber attacks against people and businesses have also increased. Therefore, digital security has become even more relevant for consumers and businesses and will be a critical aspect for the future,” Estanislau Bassols, general manager at Mastercard, said in a statement.

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