2024 Consumer Cybersecurity Assessment Report

Managing up to 10 accounts per capita, a quarter of netizens admit to experiencing at least one security incident in the last 12 months. Almost half have faced a scam attempt via text, but rely on their phone to make sensitive transactions. And, while many say they fear hackers are after their credit card, they do little to protect it.

Our behavior regarding cybersecurity doesn’t always match our stated fears and concerns. Bad actors increasingly exploit complacency around cybersecurity, threatening our security and privacy online.

Bitdefender commissioned Censuswide to gauge consumers’ mindset on cybersecurity across three continents. 7,335 respondents aged 16 to 55+ from the US, UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Australia shared their experiences, fears and concerns about the current digital landscape and cybercrime – from phishing, data exposure and malware, to SMS scams, artificial intelligence, and children’s safety online. The survey and analysis took place from December 2023 through January 2024.