Household Internet Security 2023

With high usage of the internet, we face the challenges of the digital age in relation to privacy and protection of our personal data.

Websites and apps collect a suite of information to build a digital profile of the internet user. Internet security is important to safeguard our privacy, protect us from fraud, and from viruses that could destroy a piece of our technology.

As we surf the web and online platforms more and more, we are exposed to a very large amount of information, some of which is true, some of which is clearly untrue and some which requires further evaluation and investigation.

In the 2023 survey, we asked internet users what measures they took to protect their digital security and privacy.

Less than 6 in 10 who purchased online checked that the website was secure

Key findings of internet users:

• At an overall level, just over half (51%) checked that they were using secure websites only. See Table 2.1.
• Although websites/apps that collect personal information require a privacy policy statement posted to their site, just 43% read them in 2023 before providing personal information online. 
• More than six in 10 (61%) restrict access to their location, when accessing websites or apps. Females are more likely than males to take this preventative measure – 63% of females compared with 59% of males. See Figure 2.1.
• Of persons who had purchased online, just 56% checked that the website or app were secure. See Table 2.2.
• Six in ten of persons who participated in social networks self-managed their social profile and limited access to their profile or content on social networking sites or shared online storage.
• Over three quarters (76%) of persons who expressed opinions online on civic or political issues or took part in online consultations or voting, restricted access to their geographical location. 

Over 6 in 10 internet users saw content online which was doubtful or untrue

Key findings of internet users:

• Over two thirds (67%) of males saw information (including videos, images, etc.) on online news sites or social media (such as on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, etc.) that they considered doubtful or untrue, compared with just over six in ten (61%) females. See Table 2.3.
• Over four in 10 (45%) of those aged 65 to 74 years saw information or content on online news sites or social media that they considered doubtful or untrue, compared with almost four fifths (79%) of younger persons in the 25 to 34 years age group. See Figure 2.2.
• Of persons who saw information or content where they questioned its integrity, just short of six in ten (58%) checked and evaluated the websites/online sources or found other information on the internet to validate the information, while over one in eight (12%) discussed the information offline with other persons or using sources not on the internet. See Tables 2.4 and 2.5.
• Of those who did not check the truthfulness of content they saw online, the most common reason (90%) was that they already knew the information content or source was unreliable, so there was no need to further fact check it. A further one in 14 (7%) cited lack of skills or knowledge, such as they did not know how to check the information on the internet, or it was too complicated. See Table 2.6.

Note that multiple options could be selected by the respondent.