- Only 27% of Gen Z respondents use antivirus software for mobile devices and are less likely to change their passwords regularly.
- 57% of Gen Z spends more time online than offline, according to Kaspersky
- And only 28% regularly back up important personal data stored on their phone.
Generation Z has no awareness of cybersecurity, online security principles, or the risks of not changing your password. While just over half (52%) of respondents admit to experiencing attacks on devices, data or online accounts, only 27% actually employ standard countermeasures such as mobile antivirus tools.
In a study of 7,200 respondents across 18 countries, the company also found that only 28% regularly back up important personal data stored on their phone.
The average Gen Z seems to rely almost entirely on their smartphone, where they store the information they value most, seemingly without cloud backups or syncing. The survey showed that social media accounts were hacked (17%) and gaming accounts lost (12%), but smartphones pose additional privacy risks if proper precautions are not taken.
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Generation Z must appreciate the risks
Access to personal photographs, identity documents, emails, financial information and of course social media profiles can be gained via a compromised smartphone, exposing the victim to a multitude of targeted attacks. Direct financial attacks can be launched, identity theft and much more, depending on the success of the attacker. Keeping the device out of reach of attackers, rather than inadvertently sharing its contents, is the safest solution.
Irina Ermilova, vice president of consumer product management at Kaspersky, sought to bridge the apparent gap between a generation that grew up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology, and its lack of cybersecurity acumen.
“Gen Z grew up online, so digital services often feel intuitive and familiar to them. However, familiarity should not be confused with security expertise,” she noted. “Being able to confidently navigate apps, platforms and devices does not necessarily mean being able to identify scams, manage passwords securely or protect personal data. »
“The findings show that cybersecurity tools and habits need to become as natural a part of everyday digital life as messaging, gaming or using social media. »
Train Generation Z to detect digital threats
Seeking a solution to this lack of awareness of cyber risks, Kaspersky launched an interactive online game aimed at Generation Z users. Case 404 is a “cyber detective adventure” in the point-and-click mold, set in the future with fictional cases inspired by real-life digital threats.
By playing this game, Kaspersky hopes that Gen Z users will detect scams and phishing attempts, take this knowledge with them into the real world, and stay safe online.
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