Despite reported security concerns, Lithuanian internet users still do not place enough emphasis on safe behaviour – shows the analysis of the “Cyber Security” survey results published by Eurobarometer at the end of 2013.

 

Compared to internet users in other EU member states, Lithuanian residents are more often concerned about various risks of cybercrime encountered online:

• 66 per cent are concerned about personal data theft and their unlawful use (EU average – 52 per cent);

• 63 percent are worried about the risks of becoming victims of credit card or banking fraud (EU – 49 per cent);

• 59 per cent are afraid of having their personal social media or e-mail account hacked (EU – 45 per cent). 

 

Cybercrime has been reportedly encountered by fewer Lithuanian internet users than in the EU on average:

• 23 per cent have received emails or phone calls fraudulently asking for access to their computers, logins, or personal details (EU average – 32 per cent);

• 8 per cent state that their personal social media or email accounts have been hacked (EU average – 12 per cent);

• 8 per cent have encountered online fraud where goods purchased were not delivered, counterfeit or were of poor quality (EU average – 10 per cent);

• 2 per cent have been victims of credit card or banking fraud online (EU average – 7 per cent);

• 2 per cent have personally suffered from identity theft when their personal data have been stolen and misused (EU average – 7 per cent).

 

These differences make it possible to presume that some Lithuanian internet users, despite of the expressed concern about the risks of cybercrime, often do not recognise the actual security issues they encounter online.

 

The survey has also shown that:

• only 42 per cent of internet users in Lithuania have installed anti-virus software (EU average – 46 per cent);

• 26 per cent don’t open emails from people they don’t know (EU average – 40 per cent);

• 23 per cent avoid disclosing personal information online (EU average – 34 per cent).

 

Analysed by the Information Society Development Committee under the Ministry of Transport and Communications (ISDC). (source http://www.transp.lt/lt/naujienos/13114)