Skip to main content

Seattle Tops List of Riskiest Cities for Web Surfing

You might have better luck parking your brand new Honda Civic in Seattle and actually finding it when you come back than in Newark, New Jersey, or better luck walking to the corner store without getting stabbed than in Detroit, but when it comes to cybercrime, the Emerald City is apparently as bad as it gets.

On Monday, Symantec  published a list of the top 10 riskiest cities for cybercrime, with Seattle coming in first, followed by Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Raleigh, North Carolina.

Related Videos
  1. Seattle
  2. Boston
  3. Washington, D.C.
  4. San Francisco
  5. Raleigh, N.C.
  6. Atlanta
  7. Minneapolis
  8. Denver
  9. Austin, Texas
  10. Portland, Ore.

The company teamed up with Sperling’s BestPlaces and used data reported by its own antivirus software to rank the cities. Key factors included the total number of cyberattacks and infections, as well as behavior that could expose people to crime on the Web, like online shopping and banking.

According to Symantec, Seattle ranked high in every category, earning it a score more than 10 points higher than the next closest competitor. For instance, more Seattle residents use the Web to check their banks accounts and pay bills than any of the other 50 cities ranked.

Some factors Web-savvy citizens typically appreciate – like access to Wi-Fi hotspots – actually count against cities on Symantec’s report, because of the vulnerability they open up for security loopholes. San Francisco’s crown for highest number of Wi-Fi hotspots per capita actually worked against it in this case to help earn it that number four spot.

Of the other cities, Boston was notable for its high number of spam zombies, Washington D.C. saw plenty of cybercrime, and Portland was dinged for risky online behavior along with plentiful Wi-Fi hotspots and a soft spot for Internet auctions.

Ironically enough, a top finisher in traditional crime surveys – Detroit – came in at the very bottom of Symantec’s list, at number 50.

Editors' Recommendations

A beginner’s guide to Tor: How to navigate the underground internet
A person using a laptop at a desk.

While the internet has dramatically expanded the ability to share knowledge, it has also made issues of privacy more complicated. Many people are justifiably worried about their personal information being stolen or viewed, including bank records, credit card info, and browser or login history.

If you're looking for more privacy while browsing, Tor is a good way to do that, as it is software that allows users to browse the web anonymously. It should be noted that Tor can be used to access illegal content on the dark web, and Digital Trends does not condone or encourage this behavior.
Why does Tor exist?
In this climate of data gathering and privacy concerns, the Tor browser has become the subject of discussion and notoriety. Like many underground phenomena on the internet, it is poorly understood and shrouded in the sort of technological mysticism that people often ascribe to things like hacking or Bitcoin.

Read more
How to run a free background check
A person's hands typing on a laptop placed on a black desk.

Whether it’s embarrassing Facebook photos or the complete criminal record of your sister’s new boyfriend, the internet is a treasure trove of background information. And while there are many fee-based services, it’s possible to learn quite a bit about someone from public records or through content found on online social networks.
While you could run a check on somebody else, perhaps you should scan your own background first. You’ll be able to check your credit report and insurance information for inaccuracies. You’ll also see what potential landlords, employers, or anyone else can find out about you if they decide to do a little detective work of their own.
Either way, here’s how to run a comprehensive background check without spending a dime.

Using search engines
The first place you should start is with a web search. Google can easily pull up a ton of information, assuming you know the person's name or any relevant information pertaining to him or her. The results can function as a starting point from which to branch out.

Read more
Best Antivirus Deals: Protect your PC or Mac from just $25
norton 360 deluxe with lifelock deal best buy december 2021 antivirus shutterstock stock image

The best antivirus deals offer you great protection for your devices in a nice and simple-to-use package. Right now, there are some great antivirus deals out there so we've narrowed things down to the highlights of the bunch. Read on while we guide you through the best options and explain why you should consider them.
Today's Best Antivirus Deals
NortonLifeLock 360 Deluxe -- $25, was $90

Why Buy

Read more