Cybercrime is internet users worst nigthmare. Due to the worries that if they give their personal information online, someone will record them and misuse them later, many EU internet users do not conclude any transactions online, which does not help to integrate the internal market. Recent findings of an Eurobarometer show that internet users (survey covered 27000 people in all EU Member States - EU citizens concerned by security of personal information and online payments):
- 89% - avoid disclosing personal information online,
- 74% - think that the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime has increased in the past year,
- 59% - does not feel well informed about risks of cybercrime,
- 40% - is concerned about someone misusing their personal data,
- 38% - is concerned about security of online payments,
- 12% - experienced online fraud,
- 8% - had their identity stolen,
at the same time:
- 53% - have not changed any of their online passwords during the past year!!
Other findings:
- 53% - buy goods or services online,
- 52% - use social networking services,
- 48% - bank online,
- 29% - is not confident about their ability to purchase online or bank online,
- 20% - sell goods or services online,
Pursuant to the proposal of the European Commission of March this year, the European Cybercrime Centre is to be set up as of January 2013 (An EU Cybercrime Centre to fight online criminals and protect e-consumers and A European response to cybercrime). It will aim at protecting internet users from organised crime groups, targeting e-banking etc. It will also try to better protect social network profiles from identity theft, child sexual abuse and other cyber-attacks. Additionally, as of September 2010 works continue on a proposal for a Directive to deal with new cyber-crimes.
