Brits value their digital assets at nearly £15,000

A new global report from McAfee reveals the price that Brits place on their digital assets, demonstrating the value that society now places in these intangible items.

  • Thursday, 16th May 2013 Posted 10 years ago in by Phil Alsop

With the average Brit now owning over 3,000 digital items (such as photos, videos and documents), the total financial value placed on these items weighs in at £14,932. With the Office of National Statistics (ONS) calculating that the average wealth of UK households is £232,000, taking digital assets into account would increase household wealth by 6.5%. And this doesn’t take into account the financial value of the digital devices themselves, with nearly a quarter (23%) of UK households now owning more than five digital devices.


Nearly half (45%) of Brits admit to being hugely concerned about losing their digital assets. Not surprising given that with the average UK worker earning £26,500 according to the ONS, replacing these digital assets – if possible – would gobble up over half a year’s salary. Sadly though the McAfee report reveals that half (47%) of household digital assets are irreplaceable as they are impossible to recreate, re-download or repurchase.
Brits are aware of the risk of losing their digital assets, with four-fifths (81%) admitting to being familiar with the security dangers threatening their digital assets. But 13% of Brits admit to not having any security software installed on any of their digital devices. Mac users are the least likely to have security software installed with just 3% of Mac laptop owners and 2% of Mac desktops being protected. Although Brits know the dangers that they face online, with four-fifths (81%) concerned about identify theft, two-thirds (69%) worried about damage from viruses and malware and a further third (30%) concerned about cyber stalking, half (50%) feel that comprehensive security software is too expensive.


Raj Samani, EMEA CTO at McAfee said: “Insuring our physical property is a given, but when it comes to digital assets, a majority of Brits admit it’s a different story. With digital data now such a substantial part of our lives, and the high monetary value it holds, it’s even more important to ensure it’s adequately protected.


“We have just launched McAfee LiveSafe, a multi-device security solution, to help consumers worldwide protect their entire digital lives. The solution uses cutting-edge facial and voice recognition technology which enables consumers to connect with confidence and protect the data that matters most.”


Our digital assets include many irreplaceable items, and their estimated worth is based on our attachment to these items, and the value that they bring to us. Digital items containing personal records have the highest value at over £200 per item, whilst personal memories such as photographs and videos are only valued at £18 per item. Personal communications such as emails are the least highly valued at just 79p per item, with entertainment files also less valued at just 97p per item.