The number of cybercrime victims in Germany significantly increased in 2025. According to the Cybersecurity Monitor from the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Police Crime Prevention (ProPK), 11 percent of internet users were victims of a cyberattack, up from seven percent the previous year.
The most common incidents involved fraud cases in online shopping, followed by unauthorized access to online accounts and online banking fraud. BSI Arne Schönbohm urges providers to make secure products and services the standard to better protect users.
The survey, which included 3,060 participants aged 16 and older, revealed that 88 percent of those affected reported suffering damage. One-third of respondents reported financial losses, while 29 percent indicated a loss of trust in the services they used. Additionally, one in five victims felt emotionally burdened.
The survey also highlights that many consumers are negligent in prevention. Only 14 percent of respondents regularly inform themselves about online security measures. Young people, in particular, tend to be careless and often feel overwhelmed by protective measures.
The police plan to make the methods of perpetrators more transparent to help citizens better protect themselves.
