41% of Finns reported security problems when using the internet

Finns are among the citizens of the European Union (EU) who report more security problems when surfing the Internet. 

According to the newest data from the statistical of the EU (Eurostat), more than 1 in 3 EU citizens (32%) aged 16 to 74 reported security-related incidents when using the internet for private purposes in 2019 in the last 12 months. In Finland, the percentage was even higher (41%).

Finns are also among the Europeans who use e-commerce less due to security-related fears.

Eurostat explains that phishing was the most frequent security incident reported in 2019.

Phishing consists in a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information from internet users such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by sending emails posing as a public institution or other trustworthy entity. At the EU level, 25% of people reported that they received fraudulent messages.

Pharming

The second most frequent security incident reported was pharming, another fraud consisting in redirection to fake websites asking for personal information. This was reported by 12% of people.

The share of people who experienced security related problems when using the internet for private purposes varied across the EU Member States. The highest rates were observed in Denmark (50%), followed by France (46%), Sweden (45%), Malta and the Netherlands (both 42%), Finland (41%) and Germany (40%).

In contrast, the lowest shares were recorded in Lithuania (7%), Poland (9%), Latvia (10%), Bulgaria (13%) and Greece (13%).