The constantly evolving internet and the rising number of cybercrime threats have affected the trust of global online users. According to PreciseSecurity research, 53 percent of them have become more concerned about their online privacy compared to a year ago. The statistics show it is the first time the level of internet privacy concerns has increased since 2014.
Europeans are the Least Worried About Their Online Privacy
The statistics show that concern about online privacy is the highest in developing countries. With 82 percent of citizens worrying about their internet safety, Nigerians ranked first on the global list, followed by Egypt, India, Kenya, and South Africa.
The 2019 data confirm that growing concern on web-related privacy issues is inversely proportional to the economic growth of the state, which explains why are some of the most developed countries of the world at the back of the list.
France, Japan, and the United States have 47 percent of citizens who have become more concerned about their online privacy this year. During 2019, only 26 percent of Germans expressed growing concerns about the same issues, which makes them the least troubled nation in the world. It is a surprising fact considering a recent PreciseSecurity.com research, which showed that 75 percent of German companies had been affected by some IT security incidents in 2019, causing total damage of €102.9 billion this year.
Cybercriminal is the Leading Online Security Issue
Compared to a year ago, cybercriminals remained the leading factor of increased global online security concerns. Global citizens also believe that eCommerce companies and other internet users are most likely to affect their online security. However, during recent years, concerns about domestic and foreign governments have increased the most.
At the same time, growing concern about online security has delivered some significant behavioural changes, as well. The 2019 data show that 45 percent of global web users started avoiding emails from unknown senders. Other most common behavioural changes include not visiting specific Internet sites, using antivirus software, resetting the password regularly, and avoiding certain web applications. Only 12 percent of users decided to make fewer eCommerce purchases to ensure their online security.
Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.