rki.news
FRANKFURT, May 11 — Around one-tenth of internet users in Germany fell victim to cybercrime over the past 12 months, according to a survey released on Monday by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Police Crime Prevention Program (ProPK).
The study found that 11 percent of respondents were affected by online crime, with most cases involving fraud during online shopping transactions. Other reported incidents included online banking fraud, phishing attacks, identity-related scams, and unauthorized access to online accounts.
Among victims, 33 percent reported financial losses as a direct result of cybercrime. The survey also noted that while awareness of online threats is increasing, strong passwords and antivirus software remain the most commonly used protective measures, though their effectiveness depends on user behavior.
BSI President Claudia Plattner urged stronger responsibility from manufacturers, platform operators, and digital service providers, calling for secure-by-design products and applications to become the industry standard.
The findings underline the growing risks of digital threats in Germany and highlight the urgent need for improved cybersecurity awareness, stronger preventive tools, and more coordinated public–private cooperation to better protect internet users.