Use of security software in the Netherlands highest in the EU

Dutch Internet users are spammed more often, but their PCs are less infected by computer viruses than Internet users in other countries of the European Union (EU). Nearly all Dutch Internet users have downloaded security software and this software is updated on a regular basis.

More spam but fewer computer virus infections than in other EU countries

More than half (56 percent) of Internet users in the European Union were spammed (received unsolicited emails) in 2010. The Netherlands performs poorly in this respect as 68 percent of Dutch Internet users are spammed, but infection with malicious computer viruses, worms or Trojan horses are rare in the Netherlands relative to other EU countries. Nearly one in three Internet users across the EU (31 percent) had to deal with computer viruses in 2010 versus only 23 percent in the Netherlands. Together with Germany, Finland, Ireland and Austria, the Netherlands is in a league of five countries where less than a quarter of Internet users are affected by computer viruses.

Negative experiences with computer viruses and spam, EU, 2010

Nearly all Internet users have installed security software

The use of security software for the protection of one’s own PC and data is widespread in the Netherlands. No less than 96 percent of Internet users have installed security software like virus scanners, anti-spam software or firewall and 80 percent of them will update their current version every time a new version is released. Another 12 percent occasionally will install updated versions of the security software. Only one in 20 Internet users never install updated security software versions.

Netherlands trendsetter in the EU

The Netherlands has the highest rate of Internet users with security software (96 percent) across the entire EU. The EU average is 84 percent. With more than 90 percent, Finland is the only other EU country where more than 90 percent of Internet users have installed security software.

Use of security software, EU, 2010

Math Akkermans