Internet use in Europe: Security and Trust

European Commission has just realeased this report

Statistic in focus - Internet use in Europe: security and trust


Security and trust in Internet usage is difficult to quantify as it has a highly subjective component. In this publication, security and trust is indirectly measured through an analysis of behaviour and use. Furthermore, the figures presented in this publication (survey-based, see Methodological Notes) may be biased due to a low awareness of the respondents with regards to the risks of certain Internet usage aspects.


Reports' Highlights

• Buying over the Internet is perceived as relatively safe: most ‘e-shoppers’
didn’t report any problems. Those who did mostly mentioned ‘uncertainty
concerning guarantees’ and ‘speed of delivery longer than indicated’ as the
problem.

• Among those who never bought via the Internet, 42% (at EU-15 level)
mentioned security concerns and worries about giving credit card details
over the Internet; 60% prefer to shop in person.

• ‘Spam’ was a widespread problem in 2004: between 25% (Portugal) and
58% (Germany) of Internet users have experienced unsolicited e-mail;
fraudulent payment card use was reported by less than 2% of Internet
users, except for the United Kingdom.

• Virus checking software was used in virtually all enterprises, regardless of
their size; more sophisticated security devices are more common in larger
companies.

• Certain countries have a surprisingly high proportion of enterprises that are
still without any computer and network security devices.

• A fairly high proportion of enterprises reported virus attacks; the situation
differs by country rather than by economic activity.