Cybercrime threats: Survey shows EU citizens' concerns

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 Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström.

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).

The survey, carried out between May and June 2013, covers more than 27 000 people in all member states, and also shows that:

• 87% respondents avoid disclosing personal information online (slightly down from 89% in 2012).
• A majority still do not feel well informed about the risks of cybercrime (52% compared with 59% in 2012).
• 12% of Internet users have already had a social media or email account hacked. 7% have been the victim of credit card or banking fraud online.
• There has been a significant increase in the numbers of users who access the internet through a smartphone (35%, up from 24%) or a tablet computer or touchscreen (14%, up from 6%).

Background

The European Commission is working to strengthen EU's overall response to cybercrime and contribute to improve cyber-security for all our citizens.

To name but a few examples, the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) launched in January has been working towards a collective EU response to the threats from cybercrime (IP/13/13). Cooperation with and assistance to law enforcement agencies from the Member States and beyond are a central priority of the EC3, which also focuses on establishing cooperation across communities, including with Computer Emergency Response Teams and the private sector.

In February, the Commission, together with the External Action Service, also adopted a Cybersecurity Strategy for the European Union (IP/13/94 and MEMO/13/71). The fight against cybercrime is an integral part of the policy response set out in the Strategy. Priorities in this area include helping Member States to identify and address the gaps in their capacity to fight cybercrime, as well as fostering cooperation between the EC3, member states and other actors.

Furthermore, in August, the EU adopted new rules boosting Europe's defences against cyber-attacks which include the criminalisation of “botnets”, i.e. networks of infected computers whose processing power is harnessed for cyber-attacks, and other tools used by cybercriminals (MEMO/13/661). It also introduces new aggravating circumstances and higher criminal sanctions, in order to effectively prevent attacks against information systems. Moreover, the Directive improves cross-border cooperation between the judiciary and the police of member states.

Useful links

The 2013 Eurobarometer on cyber-security

The 2012 survey

Cecilia Malmström's website

Follow Commissioner Malmström on Twitter

DG Home Affairs website

Follow DG Home Affairs on Twitter

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