Internet Privacy Concerns Affecting Online Shopping, Banking Habits
Americans spend plenty of time and money online. In fact, according to Forrester Research U.S., consumers will spend $327 billion on the Internet in 2016. However, could security and privacy concerns be deterring people from spending their hard-earned dollars online?
According to a new survey conducted by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration, almost half of American Internet users are discouraged by the lack of security online, choosing to not engage in online transactions due to privacy concerns. The study asked 41,000 households about their online activities in the past year, and 45% of households reported they refrained from at least one of the activities identified in the survey, 30% avoiding at least two activities. The main anxiety held by Internet users is identity theft, followed by privacy concerns over data collection by the government and other online services.
The wide-spread sentiment that our Internet must be made safer is not a new concept, however it’s clearer than ever that encryption and other forms of protection must be implemented to ensure online privacy and security. According to the NTIA, “In addition to being a problem of great concern to many Americans, privacy and security issues may reduce economic activity and hamper the free exchange of ideas online.”
Whether its fraud, tracking, identity theft or data collection, Americans are clearly worried about the current state of the Internet. Encryption is one way to better protect yourself online, and VyprVPN is here to help. With over 50 worldwide server locations and 200,000+ global IPs, achieving online privacy has never been easier. VyprVPN encrypts your Internet connection to protect your sensitive information when shopping, banking or conducting any other activity online – so you never have to worry about someone monitoring you or stealing your information!
As the Internet continues to infiltrate all aspects of our lives, it’s crucial that we maintain our privacy to best protect ourselves and our families.