the results of the dsin security index 2021 are sobering: an alarming number of users are virtually inviting internet criminals in through the open front door. Especially with software updates most are too careless.
cybercriminals have it easy because many internet users are too careless with their software and, above all, they make one crucial mistake
Why should a burglar bother to crack open the back door if he can simply march into the house through the wide-open front door?? The same goes for internet criminals. While most people don’t leave their house and apartment doors wide open, a surprisingly large number of internet users are lax about taking precautions when using online services with sometimes fatal consequences. At any rate, that is the result of the 2021 security index of the deutschland sicher im netz (dsin) association.
The representative dsin study shows: two out of three online users (63.7 %) urgently need support in protecting their end devices. And 17% of users even consciously forego protective measures on the Internet.
IT security: many underestimate software updates
„keep your devices and protection software up to date", appealed christian kastrop, state secretary in the federal ministry of consumer protection and justice, at a dsin digital press conference on thursday.
thomas kastrop, state secretary at the federal ministry of justice: "keep your devices and software up to the very latest standards.“
According to the dsin security index, 59 percent of all internet users are too lax in their use of protective measures for online services. „Overall, the index value for security behavior has worsened by three points. It reaches the lowest value since the study survey" explained dsin managing director michael littger. Only one in two checks the access rights of their apps, only one in three uses password managers to secure access, and only one in four online users encrypts their own hard drives.
Internet users act against their better judgment
Surprising: more and more Internet users are apparently acting against their better judgment. According to the study, the knowledge gap among consumers has widened significantly. Digital security knowledge is actually increasing more and more and has reached a new high with an index value of 90.1 points. In other words, a great many people know what they should be doing- but they do not. Because actual security behavior is dropping sharply. „We see that the available knowledge is too seldom put into practice. This is where we have to start and encourage people to act safely", according to christian kastrop.
One solution: more education not in terms of knowledge about security mechanisms, but the need for them. „More and more people in germany are becoming too careless on the internet," says says dsin chairman thomas tschersich, who is also CSO at deutsche telekom. At 42.9 percent, the group of good believers has grown by 8.0 percent this year. „In theory, the gullible know a lot about security, but this does not lead to a higher level of protection in online behavior. The discrepancy between knowledge and behavior is particularly high in this user group.“ according to the study, many people do not feel sufficiently informed. Almost two-thirds want more information on the internet and more than half want more information offline. Around half of respondents would like more contact with professional contacts on the subject of IT security. And: 62.8 percent would like information about IT security to be easier to understand.
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Internet criminals are made easy
It is fatal that cybercriminals are made so easy for both private users and companies. „We urgently need to make it clear how important it is for small and medium-sized enterprises to take security measures as well. there are often deficits there", according to christan kastrop. In the worst case, this can lead to significant economic damage.
How to solve the problem? The dsin association has developed a three-point plan for more information. The focus here is on increasing motivation to behave safely in everyday online life. But: is it enough?? Don’t software providers also have to be made more accountable?? „I work in the private sector, and that’s not where regulation comes in. But in the end there is nothing left but more regulation", according to thomas tschersich. In the case of operating systems, for example, it must be ensured that automatic update functions and support can be guaranteed over a longer period of time. „We are benefiting from digitalization, we have just seen it now in the pandemic. But it has to be safe so it has a chance and doesn’t become a problem. This is also the responsibility of the manufacturers", according to tschersich.
More regulation should help with IT security: "Companies should be held accountable"
In fact, this is to be regulated in a tighter legal framework in the medium term, announced state secretary thomas kastrop: "providers of software are to be more strongly obligated to guarantee automatic updates.“ But it’s important that users get on board with it.
Overall, the trend in security incidents is slightly positive. Here, the index recorded a small decline and now stands at 35.1 index points compared with the previous year’s value (36.8). „Despite these improvements, the index stagnates at a moderate level of 62.7 points. The decline in security behavior thus poses a growing security risk", dsin managing director thomas littger continues.
Digital me: more sensitivity in social media and online banking
Another core problem when it comes to security on the net is that many people are concerned with their digital selves, or digital identities so your alter ego, for example, on social media and the digital footprints you leave behind- hardly apart. According to the study, almost 40 percent of all internet users in Germany have never dealt with this topic before. Only 3% have already dealt more comprehensively with their digital identity. „the dsin security index 2021 speaks a clear language: suitable educational measures are needed to make consumers in germany more aware of how to deal with their digital selves," says serena holm, head of corporate affairs and regulatory management at schufa. The issue will become more and more important in all areas of life: "from social networks to online banking and administrative services.“