New study: Dutch people barely more aware of cybersecurity

The Netherlands ranks sixth worldwide in terms of knowledge about cybersecurity and online privacy, according to new research by cybersecurity company NordVPN. Dutch respondents score high on recognizing suspicious streaming offers (95%) and creating strong passwords (96%). However, only 5% are aware of the privacy risks of AI in the workplace. In 2025, 30,792 responses from 186 countries were included in the analysis.

"AI has made the internet more risky, but the basic principles for staying safe haven't changed. We are getting better at recognizing scams, but too many people still skip updates or reuse passwords. These are exactly the mistakes that criminals exploit. With this test, we want to raise awareness of cyber threats worldwide and provide clear, practical advice to reduce the risks of fraud, data collection, surveillance, and other online dangers," says Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer (CTO) at NordVPN.

These countries are in the top three in terms of cybersecurity and online privacy awareness:

• Lithuania (62/100)
• Singapore and India (61/100)
• Poland and Finland (60/100)

Dutch people create strong passwords

The results show that Dutch people know how to create strong passwords (96%) and recognize suspicious streaming offers (95%). They also know which app permissions to grant or deny (95%), which sensitive data is better not to share on social media (91%), and how devices can become infected with malware (87%).

However, awareness of digital privacy and security is low: only 5% understand the privacy implications of AI in the workplace, 12% know how much metadata internet providers collect, and 19% can properly secure a home network. Only 23% of respondents understand how to store passwords securely, only 30% of Dutch people read terms and conditions, and only 35% can recognize phishing websites.

Tips to increase your online privacy and security

Marijus Briedis from NordVPN explains the steps you can take to improve your online privacy and security:

1. Create unique and strong passwords. Use a unique and strong password for each of your online accounts. In addition, use a password manager and, if possible, set up a passkey login for your accounts.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Strengthen your account security by enabling multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring an additional form of verification in addition to your password.
3. Keep your software up to date. Update your software, operating systems, and apps regularly. This will fix vulnerabilities and keep your security up to date.
4. Use a virtual private network (VPN). Always use a VPN to encrypt your internet connection and protect your personal data from prying eyes.
5. Check your privacy settings. Regularly check the privacy settings of your social media accounts, mobile apps, and other online services and adjust them if necessary.
6. Increase your knowledge of cybersecurity. This will enable you to make better decisions to protect yourself online.

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