Millennials and Gen Z members are the least likely to report cybercrime

Elderly individuals are usually thought to be the ones who have less experience with modern technologies and are more vulnerable to cybercrime online. However, as new findings suggest, that might be completely false.

According to the data from National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe, Gen Zers (or zoomers) and Millennials are less likely to report cybercrime than other generations. Furthermore, Gen Z members and Millennials are most likely to become a victim of cybercrime that results in a loss of data or money.

The data is based on the National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe collaboration survey 'Oh Behave!' about cybersecurity attitudes and behaviors in 2021. Two thousand UK and US-based participants provided information online in response to questions about their cybersecurity behaviors in the study conducted between August 10th and 18th, 2021.

Gen Zers aged 18 to 24 are the least likely to report cybercrime, as only 21% informed responsible authorities. The percentage is surprising as you would expect the younger generation to understand the importance of cybersecurity. However, it seems the daily use of the internet from a young age has made them less careful with personal information online.

Next up, nearly one-third (32%) of Millennials aged 25 to 40 have reported a cybercrime. Millennials witnessed the internet from its early stages of slow computers to a quick uprise of social media and smartphones. Nonetheless, Millennials usually lack good cybersecurity practices, as they tend to reuse the same passwords or utilize public Wi-Fi without protection.

Following up, 43% of Gen Xers aged 41 to 56 have reported a cybercrime.

The most likely to report cybercrime are Baby Boomers aged 57 to 75, as 64% of them have done so. While they might not be as tech-savvy, Baby Boomers care more about their personal information online than other generations. Because of that, even if an adult of this generation has encountered a cyberattack, they know it is essential to report it to authorities.

Lastly, another surprising percentage, 55% of adults belonging to the Silent Gen aged 76 and above, reported cybercrime. 

Gen Zers are also most likely to become victims of cybercrime

Not only do Gen Z members and Millennials are the least likely to report a cybercrime. They are also most likely to become victims of one, resulting in money or data loss.

Out of the surveyed Gen Zers, 49% of them have not been a victim of cybercrime at all. However, 22% of them have suffered from a single cyberattack, and 21% of Gen Z adults were victims of harmful cyber activities 2-3 times, which resulted in data or money loss. Only 8% suffered from cybercrime more than four times.

On the other hand, 56% of Millennials have not been a victim of cybercrime. Nonetheless, 21% of them suffered from damaging cyber activities once, and 16% of Millennial adults were victims 2-3 times in a cyberattack, which cost them money or data loss. Even less, 7% of Millennials fell for threat actors' tricks more than four times.

Next up, Gen Xers, of which 67% have not been a victim of cybercrime. Yet 18% of Gen X adults suffered from a single cybercrime, while 10% experienced 2-3 harmful cyber activities resulting in loss of money or data. Gen Xers, who were victims of cybercrime more than four times, made up only 5%.

Following after, 79% of Baby Boomers have not fallen for cybercriminal tricks at all. Only 11% were victims of cybercrime once, and 6% of Baby Boomers lost money or data in 2-3 crimes online. More than four harmful cyber activities happened to 4% of Baby Boomers.

Finally, as Silent Gen’s internet usage is minimal, they were affected by cybercrime the least. Most of them, 87%, have not been a victim of cybercrime, 7% experienced it only once, 5% suffered from a threat actor 2-3 times, and only 1% of Silent Gen people fell for cybercriminals tricks more than four times.