Internet: Internet users are threatened by cybercrime

2023-12-04 13:17:28

Internet Internet users are threatened by cybercrime

A man sits in front of a laptop that is infected with an encryption Trojan (ransomware). photo

© Lino Mirgeler/dpa

In large-scale cyber attacks, attackers often target public institutions and companies. But many private individuals also feel threatened.

Almost all users of the Internet in Germany fears becoming a victim of an attack by cybercriminals. In a survey by the digital association Bitkom, 93 percent of those surveyed said that they felt threatened on the Internet. Bitkom Research surveyed 1,018 Internet users aged 16 and over in Germany on behalf of Bitkom. According to Bitkom, the survey is representative of this group.

They primarily see members of organized crime as the group of attackers (87 percent). A good third (35 percent) fear attacks from individuals, 24 percent from government agencies such as secret services and 5 percent from companies.

When asked from which countries the attacks are launched, Russia (81 percent), China (75 percent) and North Korea (53 percent) are in the lead.

The biggest fears of users:

When it comes to attacks, users primarily fear that their own computer or smartphone will be infected with malware such as viruses or ransomware (90 percent). In a ransomware attack (“ransom”, English for ransom), the perpetrators encrypt their victims’ data and try to extort a ransom. Hackers often threaten to publish confidential data online that was previously captured in the attack.

Behind the fear of ransomware is the fear of identity theft (62 percent) and the theft of passwords (55 percent). 4 out of 10 respondents feel threatened by fraud in online banking (42 percent) and in online shopping or online auctions (39 percent). Respondents see a similar level of threat from insults or bullying (41 percent). This is followed by hate speech (29 percent) and sexual harassment online (18 percent).

Most people in Germany personally take protective measures against possible attacks from the Internet into their own hands. Three quarters of those surveyed (74 percent) said they were primarily responsible for their own security on the Internet. 16 percent see the state as having the main responsibility, 7 percent with the economy, for example with Internet providers or the manufacturers of software and hardware.

dpa