GEN Digital has recently launched an educational campaign called “Scam Artists” to shed light on the impact of cybercrime on the human brain. The project is based on the concept that “Life imitates art”, suggesting that cybercrime can affect various aspects of life. During the experiment, three individuals who were victims of cybercrime were asked to recall their experiences while their brain activity was monitored using electroencephalography (EEG). The data collected revealed bursts of brain activity associated with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
One of the participants, Bitty Lynn, who had experienced theft of personal data, showed three different states of brain activity: calmness, anxiety and stress during the memory recall, and a return to calm after being informed about ways to protect against cybercrime. Psychologist Lee Chambers, involved in the project, emphasized that such experiences could have long-term consequences and significantly impact quality of life. The campaign aims to highlight why individuals may overlook online security measures and rely on intuition.
In addition to the brain activity study, GEN Digital also conducted a survey on public attitudes towards cyber threats and protective measures. The results indicated that 58% of Americans and British individuals recognized the possibility of falling victim to cybercriminals, while 42% believed they were invulnerable. Victims of cybercrimes commonly experienced stress and anger, with only half of respondents utilizing cybersecurity measures.
The “Scam Artists” campaign not only illustrates the negative psychological effects of cybercrimes, but also demonstrates how cybersecurity measures can improve users’ psychological well-being. This initiative is part of GEN Digital’s broader effort to raise awareness about cybersecurity. The company, known for developing products under brands like Norton, Avast, and AVG, aims to provide users with safe digital interactions.