Online privacy and anonymity strategies of U.S. internet users 2018

Published by
Ani Petrosyan,
Aug 25, 2023
This statistic presents the most common actions taken in last three years because of security and privacy issues when using the internet according to online users in the United States. During the September 2018 survey, it was found that 44 percent of respondents now were less likely to give personal info on websites.

Actions taken in last three years because of security and privacy issues when using the internet according to online users in the United States as of September 2018

CharacteristicPercentage of respondents
I am less likely to give personal info on websites 44%
I decided to only visit websites I know and trust 42%
I only use my own computer 42%
I started opening only emails from people I know 41%
I started using different passwords 37%
I have installed antivirus software 36%
I have changed the security settings 32%
I started changing my passwords regularly 24%
I am less likely to bank online 20%
I am less likely to buy goods or services online 19%
None 9%
I cancelled an online purchase 6%
Don't know 4%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (14 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of respondents44%44%42%42%42%42%41%41%37%37%36%36%32%32%24%24%20%20%19%19%9%9%6%6%4%4%1%1%I am less likely to give personal info on websitesI decided to only visit websites I know and trustI only use my own computerI started opening only emails from people I knowI started using different passwordsI have installed antivirus softwareI have changed the security settingsI started changing my passwords regularlyI am less likely to bank onlineI am less likely to buy goods or services onlineNoneI cancelled an online purchaseDon't knowOther
0%2.5%5%7.5%10%12.5%15%17.5%20%22.5%25%27.5%30%32.5%35%37.5%40%42.5%45%47.5%50%

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Release date

January 2019

Region

United States

Survey time period

September 2018

Number of respondents

2,500 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

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