Sunnyvale (ip-192.com): Seattle, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Raleigh, N.C. topped the list of cities most vulnerable to cybercrime. The rankings were determined through a combination of data on cyber attacks and potential malware infections, and third-party data about online behavior, such as accessing Wi-Fi hotspots and online shopping, said Symantec in a press release. The company teamed up with Sperling's Best Places to develop the list.
At the top of the rankings, Seattle claims the dubious distinction of America’s leading riskiest cybercrime city, placing near the top in categories such as cyber attacks and potential infections; online behavior that can expose people more to cybercrime, such as online shopping and banking online; and wireless Internet access.
Boston and Washington, D.C. follow in second and third place. Both cities experience a very high level of cybercrime, perhaps due in part to their large number of Wi-Fi hotpots.
High-tech hubs San Francisco and Raleigh are ranked fourth and fifth. San Francisco tops the list for riskiest online behavior and highest number of Wi-Fi hotspots per capita. Many of these cities are considered some of the most tech-savvy cities in the nation, proving that even skilled and experienced Internet users are at risk when it comes to cybercrime and online insecurity.
Rounding out the top 10 are Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, Austin and Portland. According to the Norton research, Atlanta residents experience the most cyber attacks and potential infections. Minneapolis and Portland are near the top for risky online behavior, while Denver and Austin score high across the board.
Of the 50 U.S. cities examined, Detroit came in as the least risky online city.
"Despite people's familiarity with technology and the Internet, this study shows that everyone is exposed to a certain level of risk when they are online," said Bert Sperling, founder and researcher of Sperling’s Best Places. "No matter where you live - be it Seattle or Detroit - it's important to be vigilant in everyday online behavior in order to protect yourself against cybercrime of all types."
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