GMX / MAIL.COM
DATA SECURITY SURVEY
2021
The data used is based on an online survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland
GmbH, in which 7603 people from 5 countries (Germany, France, Spain, UK,
USA) participated between June 08 and June 13, 2021.
The results were weighted and are in each case representative of the country-
specific population aged 18 and over.

Q: When you think about the security of your personal data - what are you particularly worried about in everyday life? Please select all that
apply.
Source: Representative survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of GMX; 7603 respondents aged 18+.
6%
8%
2%
16%
17%
21%
28%
34%
39%
41%
45%
47%
50%
56%
Don't know / no answer
I am not worried about the security of my personal data.
Other
Surveillance by foreign intelligence services
Surveillance by national intelligence services
Theft of mail from my letterbox (e.g. mail being read by strangers, interception of PINs and TANs)
Loss of my documents and photos in paper form due to fire damage in house or apartment
Burglary in my home (e.g. theft of important documents or credentials for bank accounts and
digital services)
Theft of my computer or smartphones with personal data
Loss of my digital data (documents and photos) due to technical defect or viruses
Loss of control over my personal data on the Internet (e.g. disclosure of data by Internet services
or authorities)
Loss of my debit or credit card
Online Shopping Fraud
Hacker attack on my main online accounts and profiles (e.g. email, social networks, banking)
Majority sees hacker attack as greatest threat to data security

Q: Who would you trust with your digital data? Please select all that apply.
Source: Representative survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of GMX; 7603 respondents aged 18+.
Little trust in data privacy at providers from other EU countries
40%
5%
3%
3%
9%
20%
48%
Don't know / no answer
Other
Providers from Russia
Providers from China
Providers from the USA (not applicable in the USA)
Providers from other EU countries (GDPR compliant)
Providers from US / Germany / Spain / UK / France

Q: How do you protect your digital data? Please select all that apply.
Source: Representative survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of GMX; 7603 respondents aged 18+.
The most common security measures taken
8%
3%
3%
13%
27%
30%
33%
35%
39%
40%
40%
44%
50%
53%
57%
59%
Don't know / no answer
Not applicable, I do not take any measures to protect my digital data.
Other
End-to-end encryption for e-mail (e.g. PGP)
Regularly check the privacy settings of smartphone apps (e. g. access of apps to my personal
profile)
Regular backups with the most important files
Securing key online accounts with two-factor authentication
Activation of security settings in the Internet browser
Thrift in the disclosure of personal information (e.g. in online profiles of social networks)
Not using unknown public Wi-Fi
Securing your Wi-Fi with encryption and a secure password
Regular updates of operating systems, software, etc.
Virus scanners and/or firewall
Careful handling of incoming e-mails in case of suspected phishing or viruses
Not using suspicious Internet pages/links
Use of secure passwords

Q: Which statement(s) do you agree with? Spam emails ...
Source: Representative survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of GMX; 7603 respondents aged 18+.
Malicious emails are underestimated
6%
5%
4%
4%
24%
44%
70%
Don't know / no answer
I do not agree with any of the statements.
... sometimes contain valuable health or fitness tips.
... I read regularly.
... are often difficult to distinguish from real newsletters or serious
correspondence.
... pose a security risk to my data.
... are annoying.

Q: How do you usually handle spam emails that arrive in your inbox?
Source: Representative survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of GMX; 7603 respondents aged 18+.
Only 22 per cent train spam filters
4%
1%
2%
5%
6%
12%
22%
48%
Don't know / no answer
Other
I forward them to my email provider.
I get little to no spam in my inbox, it doesn't bother me.
I leave spam in my inbox and ignore it.
I unsubscribe from spam emails – e.g. via "unsubscribe" links in the
email or by replying with 'Unsubscribe'.
I move them to my spam folder or mark them as spam.
I just delete spam.

Basic Data
Survey period: 8 - 13 June 2021
Sample:
7603 respondents, representative of the population by age 18+, in 5 countries (Germany,
France, Spain, UK, USA)
Background:
The survey is based on online interviews with participants of the YouGov Panel.
The results were weighted and are representative for the respective country-specific
population aged 18 and over.
Survey: YouGov Deutschland GmbH
Client of the study: GMX