{"id":7947,"date":"2020-10-13T10:43:33","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T10:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.securitytoday.de\/2026\/04\/02\/post_id-1807\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T12:26:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T12:26:06","slug":"these-5-threats-internet-users-fear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.securitytoday.de\/en\/2020\/10\/13\/these-5-threats-internet-users-fear\/","title":{"rendered":"These 5 Threats Internet Users Fear"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to a Bitkom study,\u00a0<\/span><\/b>the majority of internet users feel threatened by cybercrime.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>From malware<\/span><\/b>, online banking fraud, and hate speech – there are\u00a0<\/span><\/b>ways<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to stay protected.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Bitkom

Source: Bitkom Research<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

1. Malware<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The findings of the new\u00a0<\/span>Bitkom study<\/span><\/a>\u00a0show that\u00a0<\/span>eight in ten users (79 percent)\u00a0<\/span>feel threatened by malicious software such as viruses or Trojans on their smartphones or computers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Data Misuse<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The second biggest concern for Germans is the\u00a0<\/span>misuse of personal data<\/span>. Seventy percent of online users feel threatened by violations of data protection rules, the unauthorized sharing of personal information, and its use – such as for targeted advertising.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Password and Account Theft<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The idea that cybercriminals could exploit\u00a0<\/span>weak passwords\u00a0<\/span>to take over someone else\u2019s online accounts makes\u00a0<\/span>more than half of all internet users (54 percent) fear for their security.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Data Surveillance<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Is the state listening in?\u00a0<\/span>45 percent of Germans<\/span>\u00a0are concerned that intelligence agencies are monitoring and storing their digital communications.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Online Banking Fraud<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

One in three users (30 percent) fears that strangers could access their finances or that they might fall victim to fraud while using online banking.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Concerns<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Alongside online banking scams,\u00a0<\/span>just as many people<\/span>\u00a0fear fraud related to online shopping: placing an order, transferring payment, but never receiving the product.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One in six (17 percent) worry about cyberbullying and harassment on social networks and forums –\u00a0<\/span>a figure equal to those fearing sexual harassment online.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hate messages and incitement to hatred are also spreading across the web.\u00a0<\/span>One in nine (11 percent)\u00a0<\/span>sees this as a personal threat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Protection Against Cybercrime<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

To protect themselves from cybercriminals and\u00a0<\/span>these scenarios, users can rely on many proven measures. In addition to using complex passwords, password managers, and multi-factor authentication (MFA), simply\u00a0<\/span>staying alert<\/span>\u00a0makes a difference. Handle suspicious emails with caution and take security warnings seriously.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regularly installing updates also helps close security gaps. For more information on internet security and how you or your business can stay protected online, visit\u00a0<\/span>Deutschland sicher im Netz<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and check updates regularly on\u00a0<\/span>securitytoday.de.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chainarong Prasertthai<\/a><\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> According to Munich Re, cyber insurance premiums rose by an average of 15 percent in 2024.<\/p>\n

Fact:<\/strong> The Allianz Risk Barometer 2025 ranks cyberattacks as the top global business risk.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

TL;DR<\/h2>\n