Irish are 4th in the world in terms of cybersecurity knowledge

Irish are 4th in the world in terms of cybersecurity and internet privacy knowledge, according to new research by the cybersecurity company NordVPN. They performed best in recognizing various online risks and how to avoid them (72%), and worst in questions related to practices and tools to stay safe online (51%).

The annual National Privacy Test (NPT) is a global survey aimed to evaluate people’s cybersecurity, online privacy awareness, and educate the general public about cyber threats and the importance of data and information security in the digital age. It gathered 26,174 responses from 175 countries this year.

“By engaging in the National Privacy Test, we aim to cultivate a community of privacy-conscious individuals who actively champion data protection. This initiative aligns with our vision to build a safer, more resilient digital landscape for now and future generations,” says Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer (CTO) at NordVPN.

Here are the countries in the top 3 spots with the best internet privacy and cybersecurity awareness:

1. Poland and Singapore (64/100)
2. Germany and the United States (63/100)
3. The United Kingdom, Austria, and Portugal (62/100)

However, results show that the world’s online privacy and cybersecurity awareness is declining every year.

“With the growing complexity of online threats, it is not that surprising that the world’s online privacy and cybersecurity awareness has been on the decline. Paradoxically, the more security solutions there are out there, the worse the results get every year. Raising awareness about the potential risks and educating users about best practices should be at the forefront of our efforts,” says Marijus Briedis, CTO at NordVPN.

Irish create strong passwords but fail with tools that protect digital privacy

Research shows that Irish people are good at creating strong passwords (96%), and they know what kind of sensitive data they should avoid sharing on social media (93%). They also know how to deal with suspicious streaming service offers (92%), or the risks associated with saving their credit card details on their browser (88%).

However, only 4% of Irish people are knowledgeable about online tools that protect digital privacy, and only one out of 10 (11% each) know what data ISPs collect as part of the metadata as well as how to secure their home Wi-Fi network.

It seems that the “Joan is Awful” episode from Netflix’s show Black Mirror didn’t have the intended effect — only a third of Irish know the importance of reading terms of service for apps and online services.

Among the Irish people, 1% of them are Cyber Wanderers (barely know anything about internet privacy and cybersecurity), while 13% scored 75-100 points and were identified as knowledgeable Cyber Stars.

How have Irish’ results changed since 2021?

Compared to 2021, Irish respondents know better what they should avoid sharing on social networks and the importance of reading terms of service.

However, like in several other countries, fewer participants are aware of Facebook’s ability to collect data on people who don’t have Facebook (67% in 2021 vs. 57% in 2023).

French are weak in privacy awareness, while Germans — 2nd best

As for other European countries, France has the third-weakest privacy awareness score and one of the weakest daily digital life scores. Its total NPT score is 59% compared to 61% of Ireland. Also, German participants have the second-highest NPT score (63%) and share second place on the podium with the US. It’s worth adding that Germans are also highly aware of various digital privacy issues, achieving the second-best privacy awareness score with Finland.

Interesting to note that British participants have the third-highest National Privacy Test score and share third place on the podium with Portugal and Austria. Compared to other markets, a higher proportion of British participants can identify a phishing website, however, They allow apps to access too much information, just like Americans and Canadians.

Global internet privacy awareness is decreasing

The global NPT score hit 61% this year, which shows the decrease in the world’s online privacy and cybersecurity awareness, compared to 2022 (64%) and 2021 (66%).

Among the key global takeaways:

• People aged 30-54 have the best cybersecurity skills, with most Cyber Stars in this age group.
• Besides the IT sector, respondents from the finance and government industries got slightly higher NPT scores than others.
• People still underestimate the importance of reading terms of service. However, this metric is improving faster than others.

“I think there are a few reasons why cybersecurity knowledge is declining globally. The first and the most important one might be the sheer volume of online activities and digital interactions that people engage in daily. Our previous research showed that people spend more than 27 years of their lifetime online. Secondly, as technology continues to advance, cybercriminals also adapt their tactics, making it challenging for the average user to keep up. Also, there is a common misconception that cybersecurity is solely the responsibility of service providers,“ says Briedis.

Online security and privacy can be improved

To commemorate the approaching International VPN day (August 19), Briedis from NordVPN provides a list of steps people should follow in order to increase the privacy and safety of their online presence:

1. Use strong and unique passwords. Create strong passwords for each of your online accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms.
2. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA). Implementing multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional verification, such as a one-time code sent to their phone, along with their password.
3. Update your software regularly. Keeping software, operating systems, and applications up to date is crucial for fixing known vulnerabilities. Regular updates ensure that security patches are applied promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.
4. Always use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN encrypts your internet connection and helps protect your personal information from prying eyes. It is especially crucial when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
5. Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms, mobile apps, and other online services. Limiting access to personal data and choosing the minimum required permissions can help protect privacy.

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