Technology

Election Scams on the Rise: Over Half of Americans Targeted with Election Scams

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2024

New Norton Survey Finds Younger Voters Under 35 Targeted Most with Fake Polls, Donation Scams and Disinformation

TEMPE, Ariz., and PRAGUE, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With less than three weeks left before Election Day in the U.S., new data reveals that over half of Americans (56%) have already been targeted by election-related scams. Younger voters, especially those under 35, are being targeted more, facing higher exposure to schemes like fake polls, impersonation attempts and disinformation campaigns. A survey conducted by Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), showcases the growing need for public awareness and caution during this election season.

“Election scams are a significant issue. From fake donations to disinformation intended to deceive, these scams can lead to serious financial and personal data losses, or even increase divisiveness by spreading confusion and mistrust,” said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. “Protecting voters means staying ahead of new threats and providing people with the Cyber Safety knowledge and tools they need to safeguard their personal information and confidently vote.”

Who’s at Risk?

Younger adults are most at risk of being bombarded by election scams, with two-thirds (66%) of those aged 25 to 34 reporting encounters. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s latest Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviors Report, overconfidence may be a contributing factor to this, as younger generations may believe they are less susceptible to threats and engage in riskier online behavior due to a false sense of security.

Financial Losses

Alarmingly, nearly one in five (19%) individuals targeted by election scams fell victim, with 88% of victims reporting financial losses. On average, victims report losing over $7,200.

Voter Concerns: Rising Anxiety Over Election Scams

As Election Day approaches, voters are apprehensive about scams designed to mislead them. The survey reveals that fake news and disinformation top the list of concerns, with 43% of respondents identifying it as one of their primary fears. Other significant worries include fake polls and surveys (31%), voter registration scams (31%), fake endorsement scams (23%), impersonation scams and deepfakes (22%), donation scams (21%) and robocalls (21%).

These fears are not unfounded. Several common scams have emerged during this election cycle:

Robocalls: Topping the list of reported scam attempts, over one-third (37%) of participants reported being targeted by election-related robocalls, which disproportionately target Americans over the age of 55 (45%).Fake News/Disinformation: One-fifth (20%) of respondents reported encountering misleading information, with voters aged 25 to 34 particularly at risk—with 28% being targeted by such tactics.Political Donation Scams: One in five (19%) expressed worry about the legitimacy of texts and emails asking for money. With the average person receiving 11 fundraising messages a week, it can be challenging to sort through what is real and what is not, which is why nearly half (48%) of voters choose to delete and two-thirds ignore political messages all together.Impersonation Scams/Deepfakes: About one in ten (10%) participants say they encountered impersonation scams and deepfakes, which were notably more prevalent among individuals aged 25 to 34 (20%).Fake Polls and Surveys: 17% of those surveyed were targeted by attempts to capture and steal personal information in fake polls, with the highest instances among the 18 to 24 age group (25%).

Additionally, while 82% of respondents confirmed their intention to vote, 40% of those voters expressed concerns about the legitimacy of polling stations. Voters 55 and older had the most confidence in polling stations (71% had no concerns vs 49% of people 25 to 34). Some of the concerns about polling stems from misinformation, raising concerns of what sources the public trusts to get their political information. Traditional news outlets are the most trusted (75%), followed by friends and family (25%). Interestingly, only about one in five (19%) said they trust official candidate platform information, only slightly higher than those who trust social media (16%).

Your Guide to Staying Safe This Election Season

To help protect yourself from election-related scams, Norton recommends the following:

Verify Sources: Always check the credibility of the information you receive. Stick to official election websites and trusted news sources for accurate updates.Be Cautious when Donating: If you’re considering donating, research the organization first. Legitimate organizations will provide clear information on how donations are used.Look for Red Flags: Be wary of unsolicited messages or phone calls asking for personal information or money. If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate further. When in doubt, you can check in with Norton Genie, a free AI-powered scam detector, and in seconds, find out if a message you received is likely a scam and what to do next.Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a potential scam, report it to the appropriate authorities. Education is Key: Share this information with friends and family, especially younger voters who may be more susceptible to these scams.

Norton urges voters to stay informed and alert in the lead-up to Election Day. Scams have the potential to mislead voters, skew public opinion and compromise personal information. It is important for people to verify the credibility of political communications and report any suspicious activity.

For more information on how to safeguard against election-related scams, visit https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/ai-elections-2024.

Methodology

The study was conducted online within the United States by Dynata on behalf of Gen from September 13 to September 20, 2024, among 1,000 adults ages 18 and older. Data are weighted where necessary by age, gender, and region, to be nationally representative.

About Norton

Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of individuals and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services are certified by independent testing organizations including AV-TEST, AV Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at www.norton.com.

Jenna Torluemke

Erin Farkaly

Gen

Press@GenDigital.com

Edelman for Gen

Erin.Farkaly@Edelman.com

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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.

Technology

Global Cloud Industry Outlook worth $1,256.8 billion by 2025- Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™

Published

33 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — According to a research report “Global Cloud Industry Outlook 2025: A Preview of the Future of Cloud Innovation” published by MarketsandMarkets, the global cloud industry will grow from USD 1,091.4 billion in 2024 to USD 1,256.8 billion by 2025 at a YoY increase of 15.1%.

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Cloud Service Providers’ (CSPs’) focus on multi-cloud and hybrid strategies primarily drives the cloud industry in 2025. Looking ahead, the cloud landscape is set for a transformative shift, characterized by the widespread adoption of generative AI, increased competition, and heightened demand for industry-specific solutions.

Cloud developments in 2024 and upcoming predictions in 2025

The cloud market is set for continued growth, driven by increasing adoption in emerging economies and expanding cloud implementations by BFSI firms through both organic and inorganic initiatives. More organizations are turning to multi-cloud and hybrid strategies to boost flexibility and resilience. Meanwhile, the integration of Generative AI with cloud platforms is driving new innovations in services and applications, as competition among Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) heats up, resulting in more specialized and competitive offerings. As cybersecurity risks in the cloud grow, security and compliance will become top priorities. The demand for industry-specific cloud solutions will rise, with retail expected to see the highest growth in the coming years. This growth is reflected in the IT services spending, projected to rise from $1.59 trillion in 2024 to $1.74 trillion in 2025, highlighting the increasing demand for cloud-based solutions across industries. Cloud-native technologies like containers will play a critical role, and managing complex hybrid infrastructures remains a key challenge for CSPs striving for seamless operations.

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Top Key Companies in Global Cloud Industry Outlook:

AWS, Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, and IBM are the major players in cloud industry, with a 35.1% combined market share in 2023. Other prominent market players are Oracle, SAP, Alibaba Cloud, Adobe and Tencent Cloud. In 2024, key CSPs strive to maintain their cloud leadership positions with new product launches and product enhancements, Gen AI advancements, and strategic deals, partnerships and collaborations. In 2025, cloud providers will continue investments in advanced security and sovereign cloud, hike cloud service prices, launch cloud regions in unexplored countries, and focus on industry-specific cloud offerings.

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North America leads the Cloud Industry, and Asia Pacific experiences the highest YoY growth.

North America dominates the cloud market, as most major CSPs are headquartered in the United States; they are driving the continued adoption of cloud AI, analytics, and digitalization across sectors ranging from healthcare and finance to retail. Europe remains stable in its growth due to market demand for compliance, security, and regulatory solutions that the cloud provides, as well as governmental digital initiatives. Asia Pacific sees the highest year-over-year growth, driven by rapid digitalization, cloud migration in emerging markets, and robust government support. The Middle East and Africa are experiencing significant growth, particularly in the energy and government sectors. Latin America is expanding due to rising demand for cloud services in e-commerce, education, and digital services.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Cloud Computing Market Research Reports & Consulting

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Cloud AI Market– Global Forecast to 2029

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Technology

Purina Awards $125,000 to Five U.S.-Based Pet Startups through 2025 Pet Care Innovation Prize

Published

33 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

Winning startups across the pet industry – from veterinary care to treats and e-commerce – will compete for an additional $25,000 Grand Prize in March

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today, five pet care startups from across the country have been named finalists in the ninth annual Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina. Each finalist – which represent startups across the entire pet care spectrum – will receive $25,000 and mentorship support from Purina, a global leader in pet care, as the startups work to scale their businesses in the growing $324.19 billion* global pet care industry.

The 2025 Pet Care Innovation Prize Winners were selected from nearly 150 applicants from around the world. This year’s winners are:

VEA: Based in Alexandria, Va., VEA is an AI-driven platform designed to predict disease, generate diagnostic plans and support nutrition for longevity. VEA also aims to solve workflow and documentation challenges for clinical staff, reducing the number of clicks it takes to complete exams and enabling veterinary teams to focus more on patient care.Maven: New York-based Maven is the first vet-recommended health sensor capable of continuously monitoring pets’ well-being and identifying early, clinically relevant changes. With these insights, pet owners and clinic teams can diagnose issues sooner and treat more effectively, helping pets live healthier, happier lives.Ten Lives: San Francisco-based Ten Lives produces the cleanest animal proteins for cats. Using microbes to convert sugar to protein, Ten Lives develops the same proteins naturally found in prey such as rabbit, fish and lamb, made without animals in human-grade precision fermentation facilities.ShopDot Pet: Based in Missoula, Mont., ShopDot Pet is a platform that allows neighborhood pet care providers such as groomers, trainers and vets to generate additional revenue by easily selling pet essentials without the heavy costs of inventory or shipping. ShopDot Pet enables pet service businesses and great pet brands to collaborate and sell more together.Yak9 Chews: Based in Austin, Tex., Yak9 Chews is an award-winning premium pet brand dedicated to crafting all-natural, long-lasting cheese chews for dogs, made from simple, real and ethically sourced ingredients.

In addition to the $25,000 in non-dilutive prize money, each of the five startup winners also receives mentorship from the Pet Care Innovation team at Purina and Active Capital, as well as the opportunity to participate in an accelerator boot camp at Purina’s headquarters in St. Louis, MO, which features sessions with Purina’s top pet experts and influential voices across the pet care industry.

“At Purina, our commitment to enriching the lives of pets and their people is strengthened through collaboration with innovative startups, such as the incredible cohort of this year’s Pet Care Innovation Prize finalists,” said Patrick Mullen, co-lead of Purina’s 9 Square Ventures group and vice president of strategic planning at Purina. “These passionate pet care entrepreneurs are tackling challenges in a variety of areas that all have the opportunity to help pets and those who are passionate about them thrive. We are excited to partner with these companies to foster their growth and success in the continuously growing and competitive pet care landscape.”

The five finalists will compete for an additional $25,000 grand prize this March at a pitch competition at Global Pet Expo, an annual trade show presented by the American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association, where each startup will present to Purina executives, industry influencers and investors.

Purina, through its 9 Square Ventures corporate venturing group, partnered with investing leaders at Active Capital to create the Pet Care Innovation Prize in 2016. The effort provides financial support and mentorship opportunities for early-stage companies that are defining the future of pet care through novel products or services that provide meaningful solutions in the areas of pet health and wellness, services, technology, food, treats and litter.

9 Square Ventures leverages Purina’s knowledge, experience, and financial resources to help emerging pet care startups scale their businesses and make a positive impact on the lives of as many pets and their owners as possible. The group has been steadily investing millions of dollars in a diverse set of early-stage pet care startups since it was founded in 2014.

For more information about the Pet Care Innovation Prize powered by Purina, visit https://petcareinnovation.net.

*From Precedence Research

About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Our more than 11,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. Nearly 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

About Active Capital:
Active Capital is a St. Louis-based impact investing leader, helping startups and investors come together to grow innovative products and initiatives. Active Capital manages the Pet Care Innovation Prize.

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SOURCE Nestle Purina PetCare

Technology

East Baton Rouge Parish Becomes INdigital’s First NGCS Customer in Louisiana

Published

33 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

BATON ROUGE, La. and FORT WAYNE, Ind., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — INdigital, a leading provider of advanced 911 solutions, is proud to announce that East Baton Rouge Parish has become the company’s first Next-Generation Core Services (NGCS) customer in Louisiana. This milestone underscores INdigital’s commitment to delivering innovative and reliable emergency communication solutions across the state.

East Baton Rouge Parish Communications District’s decision to select INdigital as their NGCS provider was driven by INdigital’s proven track record of delivering reliable and innovative communication solutions. “INdigital stood out with its advanced technology and infrastructure, which align with our vision for a modernized 911 communication system that can efficiently handle our community’s increasing demands,” said Jim Verlander East Baton Rouge Parish Communication District Director.

Next-Generation Core Services transform traditional 911 systems by enabling advanced features such as multimedia communication, enhanced location accuracy, and seamless interoperability. These innovations are designed to better serve residents and first responders during critical situations.

“This partnership with East Baton Rouge Parish reinforces our commitment to helping public safety answering points (PSAPs) stay at the forefront of 911 technology,” said Eric Hartman, Executive Vice President at INdigital. “By embracing NGCS, East Baton Rouge is ensuring their community benefits from faster, more accurate, and more resilient emergency communications.”

Looking ahead, the NGCS project is expected to shape the future of emergency communications across Louisiana. “We envision a seamless network that enhances real-time information sharing, swiftly and efficiently enabling access to critical data across jurisdictional lines. This will not only improve response times during emergencies but also facilitate better coordination among first responder agencies,” said Verlander. “As we move forward, the innovative technologies of Next Generation Core Services will undoubtedly shape a safer and more connected future for all Louisianans.”

INdigital’s expansion into Louisiana’s NGCS market marks a significant growth milestone. With existing partnerships in the state, this latest collaboration showcases INdigital’s ability to adapt its state-of-the-art solutions to meet local needs while maintaining a national standard of excellence.

For more information about INdigital and its services, visit indigital.net.

About INdigital
INdigital is a leading provider of 911 solutions, dedicated to improving public safety through innovative technology. With a focus on delivering reliable, scalable, and advanced communication systems, INdigital supports emergency service agencies across the country in their mission to save lives.

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SOURCE INdigital