Internet users in the EU remain very concerned about cyber-security, according to a Eurobarometer survey published today. 76% agree that the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime has increased in the past year, slightly more than in a similar study from 2012. While 70% of internet users across the EU are confident of their ability to use the internet to shop or bank online, only about 50% actually choose to do so.
This significant gap shows the negative impact of cybercrime on the digital single market: the two main concerns about such online activities being related to the misuse of personal data (mentioned by 37%) and the security of online payments (35%). “Cyber threats evolve on a daily basis, undermining trust in the online world – there are new vulnerabilities, new criminal methods, new environments for offending and new victims. We have already introduced robust EU laws to fight these crimes and we have created the European Cybercrime Center (EC3) to track down and stop the criminals. We are determined to continue developing new tools, new cooperation and new measures to follow suit”, said Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Encouragingly, more EU citizens feel well informed about the risks of cybercrime compared to 2012 (44% – up from 38%). However, it appears that they do not always draw all the necessary consequences from that information. For example, less than half of internet users have changed any of their online passwords during the past year (48% – slightly better than 45% in 2012). Here to read more.
