When it came to perceptions on vulnerability to physical and digital risks and threats in their workplaces or concerning their online work, only 15% of the respondents felt so while 36% felt moderately so. However, this may show that most of the respondents are not made aware of the threats or do not really comprehend the nature or seriousness of the threat they face, if any. Have you suspected that your devices have come under attack? “I do not suspect, I know. The government keeps tags on all mobile phone users/subscribers through telecoms regulations that require everyone to register personal details with their network service provider.” Those who felt at risk pointed out that freedom of expression in cyberspace is under threat because governments are trying to find ways of regulating it. Some of the reasons given for this vulnerability were a lack of security at work premises, the nature of their work, particularly that of activists attracting governments’ attention, and a lack of adequate knowledge in the area of secure online usage. Forty-two per cent of respondents claimed they have never suspected that any of their communications devices had come under threat from spyware or malware. Of the 58% who have, the threat mainly came via emails and phone calls, with a good number of them suspecting that someone is listening to their phone calls. For some, symptoms came through the slowing down of computer. Most of them used free Anti-virus software to clear the problem while others used IT technicians to look into the matter. A respondent from Malawi implied that they have no control since government has installed the much feared ‘spy machine’, formally the Consolidated ICT Regulatory Management System (Cirms) which, according the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (Macra), is designed to prevent telecoms customers from being overcharged. It became known as the ‘spy-machine’ because some thought it would allow for systematic monitoring of phone calls and illegal intrusion into their private conversations. In one instance, a certain media house took action by reporting the threat to the Intelligence Bureau of their country but no action was followed. How vulnerable do you think you are to physical and digital risks and threats? How do you rate your ability to use risk reduction tools and strategies when working on computers, using mobile phones or navigating the Internet? Of those who attempted the question of belonging to a dedicated group or network on online security, only 17% responded in the affirmative. Some respondents from South Africa acknowledged that their country has more institutions of accountability than other countries in the region, but also massively more surveillance capacity, public and private, official and unofficial, hence the risks there are substantial. Others pointed out, especially in light with the issue concerning the United States’ National Security Authority (NSA) informant Edward Snowden, that as users of such cloud services as Gmail, they feel extremely vulnerable to snooping from offshore agencies. Others argued that since the law and policy can never keep up-to-date with technology, there is a need for non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) to step in and safeguard people’s privacy and lobby lawmakers to update the law, without infringing on people’s freedom and pri9