The common misconception that the older demographic are the main group consistently targeted by phishing scams has been shattered by a recent study published by Atlas VPN. Instead, it indicates the tech savvy Gen Z and Millennials are at much higher risk of falling for phishing scams than their older counterparts.
More than one in five (23%) of the Gen Z and Millennial generations have fallen victim to a phishing scam, compared with the 19% of Gen X, generation of Americans born between the mid-1960s and the early-1980s. Baby Boomers seemed to be least likely to fall for digital scams, with data suggesting that only 9% had a direct contact with one.
However, phishing scams are not the only cyber threat that people face on a daily basis. 52% of Millennials and Gen Z have had a password stolen, or know someone who has, and just under half (48%) have had a social media account hacked.
“While younger generations are more tech-savvy, they are also very accustomed to doing everything online — from communicating with friends to shopping or conducting financial transactions. This daily use of the Internet from a young age makes them less cautious about engaging online or giving out their personal information.”
Ruth Cizynski, Cybersecurity Researcher – Atlas VPN
In a bid to fight this new era of digital scamming, cybersecurity spending is expected to reach around £158 billion by 2024.
Everyone is at risk of phishing, how vulnerable is your organisation? Find out today in our Free Click-Prone® Test today.
