European Union data shows that almost one-third of Internet users in the 27-country bloc got a computer virus last year, while three per cent lost money through online crime.

The data released today shows that viruses were most prevalent in Bulgaria, where 58 per cent of Internet users were hit in 2010, followed by Hungary, with 47 per cent of users effected.

The safest countries were Austria, where only 14 per cent of users reported a virus, and Ireland, where only 15 per cent got one.

The data also shows that only 14 per cent of households with children had parental controls on their computers and that five per cent of adults have found children using inappropriate websites.