The 2018 Unisys Security Index has revealed that 64 per cent of UK citizens would welcome having a unique code for extra security when making purchases online, and saw it as a very positive move to combat online fraud.

In addition, 55 per cent of respondents said they would like all online purchases to be subject to verification.

The findings were dominated by concerns around identity theft for UK citizens, with 56 per cent saying they were very or extremely concerned.

Over 1,000 UK adults were surveyed during August and September, with the index calculating a score out of 300 - the highest level of concern - covering changing consumer attitudes over time across eight areas of security in four categories.

The overall index score was measured at 149 this year, which represents a five-point increase compared with 2017, and was the third highest increase globally.

The highest levels of security concern were among women (13 points higher than men), younger people aged 18-24 (37 points higher than 55-65 year olds), and those with lower incomes (27 points higher than those with higher incomes).

Outside of the core index survey Unisys asked respondents about potential exploitations of social media and found that 65 per cent in the UK were concerned about terrorists using social media to collaborate and plan attacks. In addition, 63 per cent said they were concerned about their social media profiles being hacked and sensitive information shared, with 72 per cent of 18-24 year olds stating overwhelming concern.

When asked their opinions around health insurance providers tracking individual’s fitness activity to determine premiums or reward safe behaviour, 42 per cent of UK citizens said they did not want an organisation to have this data about them.

Similarly, 82 per cent of UK respondents supported emergency buttons on smartphones or smartwatches to send their location to police if they needed help. Only 37 per cent said they would support allowing police to access their location data without granting permission.

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