- Wales is the most cyber insecure country in this ranking, with an average of 645 searches to get rid of malware per 100,000 people per month!
- 3 UK countries - Wales, Scotland, and England - take up the top 4 spots for most cyber insecure countries in this ranking
- The US, despite having one of the largest populations out of the countries ranked, has a relatively low occurrence of searches for malware and cyber attacks, at just 115 searches per 100,000 people.
As artificial intelligence and technology continues to advance for our benefit, so too does the risk of security breaches and data hacks. Cybersecurity should be a pressing concern for every individual - but an alarming number of people and businesses are still under informed and unprotected when it comes to online security.
Last year, there was a 75% increase in cloud intrusions, and “an alarming rise in covert activity”, according to CrowdStrike’s global threat report. What’s more, the explosion of AI into the mainstream has already demonstrated considerable threats relating to identity theft - with even early-stage “deep fakes” hard to identify for many.
In March alone, we saw multiple instances of possible cybersecurity breaches in major companies. It has been alleged that Meta’s outage earlier this month was due to a hack from Anonymous, and a cyberattack in the US healthcare industry has had catastrophic knock-on effects. Meanwhile, Belgian brewery Duvel beer had production lines ground to a halt following a cyber attack at the beginning of this month.
Here, our team at BanklessTimes.com has compiled a list of some of the least and most cyber secure countries around the world.
Ryan Matthews, technology expert at BanklessTimes.com, comments:
“The topic of cybersecurity and how individuals and businesses alike can best protect their online data has never been more prevalent. These findings show just how diverse a country’s approach to cyber security and the cyber threats in each can be. One thing is clear: any individual that is operating online needs to take steps to protect your own data and identity. We’ve provided some tips below to make that possible.”Ryan Matthews, technology expert at BanklessTimes.com
Wales Ranks as Least Cyber Secure Country
According to our ranking, Wales is the least cyber secure country in this list. The country has an average of 645 searches for getting rid of malware and related terms per 100,000 people per month - almost 100 more searches than the second highest-ranking country, Scotland.
Wales has a population size of 3.2 million, with an estimated 21,000 searches for malware related queries per month - demonstrating a considerable increase in concern and searches for ways to clear malware from one’s devices than other countries in this ranking.
Most recent data has indicated that just 7% of Wales’s adult population are not online, demonstrating that Wales in particular either has a significant lack of awareness regarding cyber-safety, or more cyberattacks than other countries. As a comparison, the US has a digital population of 99% (compared to Wales’ 93% online population), but considerably fewer malware searches per 100,000 people.
UK Countries Take Up 3 out of 4 Top Spots for Cyber Insecurity
Notably, three out of the four countries in the top 4 most insecure for cyber-related attacks are based within the UK.
Whilst Wales takes the top spot, Scotland and England are not far behind. Scotland sees an average of 573 searches for getting rid of malware per 100,000 people per month, while England has an average occurrence rate for these terms of 521 per month - coming just behind Australia, which has an occurrence rate of 557.
98% of the UK’s population is estimated to have access to the internet - the 17th largest online population in the world ranking sixth worldwide by internet penetration rate. While this ease of internet access has a myriad of benefits, it is clearly also leaving the UK population more susceptible to malware attacks.
These findings are perhaps even more shocking when we consider that the UK is currently ranked second in the Global Cyber Security Index, which ranks countries by their commitment to cyber security at a global level.
India Has Lowest Occurrence of Searches for Malware Fixes
At the other end of the scale, India has the lowest occurrence rate for searches for getting rid of malware and related terms per 100,000 people per month, with just 4.8 searches. On the surface, this of course may indicate that the population in India are less at risk of cyber attacks.
However, it’s important to note that India also has the largest offline population in the world (despite also having the second largest digital population!) - with just under half of the total population estimated to not have access to the internet. While India may have the lowest number of searches for malware attacks, then, it also has the largest concentration of people for whom cyberattacks are a non-issue altogether.
United States Has Largest Physical & Digital Population But Low Cyber Insecurity
An interesting finding from the data can be found in the US. The country has the second largest population out of the countries we ranked (341 million people), and the third largest digital population in the world with an estimated 311 million or 95% of US adults.
With such a large population and almost the entire country having access to the internet, you might assume that there is a potential susceptibility to cyber attacks and malware breaches. However, the occurrence rate for malware-related searches was relatively low, at just 115 searches per 100,000 people per month.
This puts the United States 11th in our ranking, but indicates either a healthy approach and awareness of correct cyber security protocols from the general population, or a lack of attacks at this point of time.
Cybersecurity Tips For Staying Safe Online
It’s more important than ever to protect yourself when operating online. With this in mind, our experts at BanklessTimes have provided the following key cybersecurity tips for keeping yourself and your data protected:
Be Mindful with Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency transactions are often irreversible, so it's crucial to double-check the details before sending any funds. Consider using hardware wallets to store your cryptocurrency offline, making it less accessible to online hackers. Additionally, it’s wise to be skeptical of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Ensure that all your accounts have strong, unique passwords that you haven’t used anywhere else, and avoid common words and phrases. Consider using a password manager such as LastPass to keep track of your passwords securely.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, activate two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or an authentication app, in addition to your password.
Regularly Update Your Software: Keep your operating system, applications, and any installed software up to date. Software updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the last update. Leaving your software without updates for too long could leave you vulnerable to an attack.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts: Phishing scams can come via email, text messages, or even phone calls. They attempt to trick you into giving away personal information or login credentials. Always verify the source before clicking on links or providing any sensitive information. If you’re not sure, do not click the link.
Secure Your Home Network: It can be a good idea to change the default username and password on your home router. You could also consider setting up a guest network for visitors to keep your main network more secure.
Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for hackers to intercept and steal your data.
