New Zealand's national cybersafety and security organisation, NetSafe, is today launching a new free app for Android powered smartphone and tablet owners.

The app is being released hot on the heels of last week's first ever Cyber Security Awareness Week (CSAW) and has been designed by NetSafe to put free information and advice directly onto portable devices.

Users who download the application from Google's Play Store will be able to read free advice on computer security plus take quizzes, watch NetSafe videos and also report cyber incidents to the Orb reporting service using a 'quick report' form designed for smaller screens.

"The number of smartphone and tablet owners has surged in New Zealand over the last 12 months, and we wanted to produce an app that would put our advice and reporting tools close at hand," says Chris Hails, NetSafe's Cyber Security Consultant.

"We decided to develop an Android application first as it's believed there are double the number of lower priced Android smartphones out there compared with other platforms. We also hoped to put our resources in front of a younger audience."

"We know from Norton's 2011 Cybercrime Report that higher numbers of millennials - those aged 18-31 - have been victims of online incidents compared with other age groups and we hope that providing a quick reporting tool on Android devices will appeal."

"Our inaugural Cyber Security Awareness Week received an overwhelming 'thumbs up' from New Zealanders with visitor numbers up by 30% to our site www.netsafe.org.nz and The Orb reporting service."

"The new Android app is just one of a number of initiatives we will be rolling out this year. We're encouraging people to stay on top of their computer security all year round," adds Mr Hails.

It's estimated that cyber crime cost New Zealand $625 million in 2011 (Norton Cyber Crime 2011 report) as more and more people make use of internet technologies and use computer systems as part of their everyday lives for work and play.

More than 2000 adult New Zealanders are affected by cyber crime every day in the form of computer viruses and malware, credit card fraud, online scams, phishing and identity theft.

The average loss reported to NetSafe's Orb website in 2011 was almost $4300.

The national awareness raising programme took place 11 - 15 June 2012 and was a joint partnership between government and industry with five agencies and eight corporate partners involved including Google, HP, McAfee, Microsoft, MSN, Sophos, Symantec and Trade Me.