Two-thirds worry about their web accounts
According to a study by the German industry association Bitkom, many users are currently afraid of identity theft, hacking and online fraud.
Two-thirds of Internet users in Germany are afraid of illegal use of their passwords and online accounts. 46 percent are also worried about online banking fraud and 34 percent about online shopping fraud, according to a survey of 1014 Internet users aged 16 and over conducted by the German digital association Bitkom.
Free ride for espionage
According to their own statements, almost two-thirds would not notice if strangers spied on their computer or smartphone via the Internet. "Consumers must be able to move safely in the digital world," says Susanne Dehmel from the Bitkom management board on the occasion of "World Consumer Day" in mid-March.
Only 41 percent believe that they are able to adequately protect devices such as computers and cell phones from attacks by cyber thugs. The figure is 46 percent among 16 to 29-year-olds and 47 percent among 30 to 49-year-olds. By contrast, the figure is 40 percent for 50 to 64-year-olds and only 31 percent for older people aged 65 and over.
