2021 Bitdefender Global Report: Cybersecurity and Online Behaviours

Executive Summary

PLATFORMS, APPLICATIONS,SERVICES

Internet users have on average8 online platform accounts. Of those analyzed, the top used are Facebook, WhatsApp, Gmail and YouTube. There are several usage differences among males and females and across age groups. Facebook and WhatsApp are used most by those 25+, Gmail is more popular after 35, while YouTube and Instagram are popular up to 34. Among 18-24, TikTok and Snapchat are the most used platforms.

MANAGING DEVICES

Consumers regularly use multiple devices for online activities, with 2/3 using at least 3 devices. Almost a quarter use a work device for accessing their online accounts. Companies should therefore ensure devices are secured and educate employees on best security practices.

For half of users, a mobile phone is the device most often used for personal activities with use highest amongst those up to 44.

MANAGING ONLINE ACCOUNTS

For managing account details, users use several methods. Half just memorize the details, a third rely on the autofill option, and a quarter write them down or use a password manager. Sharing account details with family and friends is most likely to happen for car service/rental accounts at 60% followed by video streaming 49%, airline companies 45%, and software utilities 44%.

Communicating about security risks associated with account management and educating users on security best practices may attract more users and help build a positive brand image.

THREATS & VULNERABILITIES

Sixty-one percent of users have experienced at least one threat in the past year, scam messages/calls on mobile (36%) and phishing (23%) occurring most frequently. Financial fraud generates the highest level of anxiety, with 41% of users concerned. 

Fifteen percent of users are not using any online security product/ service on their most used device for personal online activities, with mobile phone being rather more exposed than other devices.

Antivirus is not used by almost a third of users (30%) on their main mobile device(either phone or tablet). Users believe they do not need it or that it is built in, therefore rising awareness about threats on mobile devices might improve security best practices.

Slightly more than half of respondents are using a single or a few passwords across online accounts, and approximately a quarter are using one of the simple passwords for online accounts. Regarding mobile phone, 30% are not properly securing it, as they use a simple password.

In educating users on security, a special focus should be on mobile devices, especially mobile phones, as they are more exposed, with a lower usage of security products/ services and higher usage of simple passwords. Moreover, mobile devices are more frequently used by younger consumers, who are less worried about online threats and vulnerabilities.