They might have grown up online but Gen Z are apparently far less likely to use antivirus, study finds

Date:
Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Description:
A new survey from cybersecurity specialists Kaspersky has revealed a worrying trend among Gen Z: theyre ignorant of online threats.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Just 27% of Gen Z respondents use antivirus software for mobile devices, and are less likely to regularly change passwords 57% of Gen Z spend more time online than offline, Kaspersky finds And only 28% regularly backup important personal data stored on their phones Gen Z has no awareness of cybersecurity, online safety principles, or the risks of not changing your password. With just over half (52%) of respondents admitting they have had devices, data, or online accounts attacked, only 27% actually employ standard countermeasures like mobile antivirus tools.

In a study of 7200 respondents from 18 countries, the company also found only 28% regularly backup important personal data stored on their phones. An average Gen Z-er appears to rely almost completely on their smartphone, which is where they store the information they value most, apparently without cloud backups or syncing in place. The survey has shown that social media accounts have been hacked (17%) and gaming accounts lost (12%), but smartphones have further risks to personal privacy if the correct precautions are not taken. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Gen Z needs to appreciate the risks Access to personal photographs, identity documents, email,
financial details, and of course social media profiles can be acquired via a compromised smartphone, opening the victim to a host of targeted attacks. Direct financial attacks can be made, identity theft, and more, depending on how successful the attacker is. Keeping the device out of an attackers reach, rather than inadvertently sharing its contents, is the safer course of
action.

Irina Ermilova, Vice President for Consumer Product Management at Kaspersky, looked to address the apparent disconnect between a generation that has grown up with internet access and portable digital tech, and its lack of cybersecurity nous. You may like Mobile security is quietly weakening as
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Gen Z has grown 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 navigate apps, platforms and devices confidently 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 part of everyday digital life as messaging, gaming or using social media. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar
Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Training Gen Z to find digital threats (Image credit: Kaspersky) Looking for a solution to this lack of cyber-risk awareness, Kaspersky has launched an interactive online game aimed at Gen Z users. Case 404 is a "cyber-detective adventure" in the point-and-click mold, set in the future with fictional cases that have been inspired by actual digital threats.

In playing the game, Kaspersky hopes that Gen Z users will spot the scams and phishing attempts, and take that knowledge with them into the real world and stay safe and secure online. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/they-might-have-grown-up-online-but-gen -z-are-apparently-far-less-likely-to-use-antivirus-study-finds


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