Maltese internet users had among the highest rates of security issues in the EU last year, according to data issued today by Eurostat.   

Throughout the EU, a quarter of internet users reported common security issues, such as viruses affecting devices, abuse of personal information, financial losses or children accessing inappropriate websites.

Croatia and Hungary reported the most cases, with a share of 42% and 39% respectively of their internet users. That was followed by Portugal at 36% and Malta at 34%.

For those internet users who had security related issues over the internet in 2015, a virus or other computer infection (e.g. worm or trojan horse)
was the main problem experienced.

Slightly more than one internet user out of five (21%) suffered a computer virus or other computer infection resulting in loss of information or time.

Across member states, the share of internet users having a computer virus was highest in Croatia (41%), followed by Hungary (36%), Portugal (33%), France
(29%), Bulgaria and Malta (both 28%).

In contrast, fewer than 10% of internet users caught a virus or computer infection in the Netherlands (6%), the Czech Republic (8%) and Slovakia (9%).

A quarter of surveyed internet users in Malta said they did not shop online because of security fears,