In February 2024, Kaspersky surveyed 2,000 North American adults (in the U.S. and Canada) about their experiences with scams related to various online platforms and also asked them about some of their digital habits, as well as their attitudes toward prominent issues affecting their security and privacy in 2024.
Every corner of the internet is being infiltrated by bad actors looking to take advantage of people. Consumers should always keep their guard up, apply a baseline level of skepticism, and take steps to protect their online security. Effective strategies include using multi-factor authentication, avoiding password reuse, and limiting app permissions. -Kurt Baumgartner, principal security researcher with Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team.
Among the top findings were that 42% of users have encountered scams on online dating apps, 38% have encountered scams on Facebook, and even 18% of online sports betting sites. Overall, 29% of users have fallen victim to scams on one of these online platforms.
According to the Kaspersky report, results show that users encounter scams at significant rates. Online dating apps have become where it happens most often, with 42% of users having experienced some fraud on a dating app. Dating apps also appeared to be where fraudsters have had the highest success rate; 24% of dating app users said they’d fallen victim to such a scam.
Facebook and Facebook Marketplace, where 38% and 36% of users encountered scams, respectively. Users fell victim to scams on both of those platforms at a rate of 18%. Meanwhile, one in four Instagram users said they had encountered fraud on the platform. 15% of Instagram users said they’d fallen victim to one. -Kaspersky report
The survey also found that nearly six in ten users have had to change their password for security reasons in the past six months and that 75% of consumers would like to see new privacy regulations in 2024.
Kaspersky data shows that one of the most common forms of scam – phishing attacks – grew by 40% in 2023. In recent years, online scams seeking to steal victims’ personal information and money have expanded beyond fraudulent emails and websites, now targeting users on social media, messaging apps, online gaming platforms, and cryptocurrency exchanges.
Scammers disguise themselves as everything from customer service representatives to online daters to celebrities. At the same time, AI tools make it easier than ever for them to operate.
The survey found that 36% of Facebook Marketplace users have encountered scams on the platform, where scams can take various forms. Twenty-five percent of Instagram users have encountered scams on the app, followed by online gaming platforms (18% of users encountered scams) and online banking (15%).
Users also revealed the rates at which these scams have been successful. Twenty-four percent of dating app users said they’ve fallen victim to fraud on the apps, followed by Facebook (18%), Facebook Marketplace (18%), Instagram (15%), online sports betting (14%), online gaming (10%) and online banking (9%).
The study also captured data about digital security and privacy habits consumers would like to improve in 2024.
Those included
65% of respondents said being more mindful of the links they click on
57% use stronger passwords
54% are more careful about signing up for online services that ask for personal data
49% using multi-factor authentication
40% Using a different password for each online account 41%being more cautious about limiting app permissions on my phone
22%, reducing my screen time
10 % reducing my kids’ screen time
Apart from scams, the survey asked about several other privacy-related issues that respondents might have concerns about, including artificial intelligence.
38%of respondents said they believe AI will mainly hurt digital privacy and security in the future, compared to 18% of those who said it would help.
77% of respondents said they are concerned about using AI-generated deepfake videos and voice recordings to spread misinformation online.
Nearly half of respondents (48%) expressed privacy concerns about augmented reality devices with facial recognition technology, such as Apple Vision Pro.
Regarding privacy regulation, 75% of consumers said they’d like to see new rules designed to protect users this year, compared to 10% who answered no and 15% who were unsure.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyber threats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise are constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments, and consumers around the globe. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com.
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Douglas Pilarski is an award-winning Writer & Journalist based on the West Coast. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, horology, tech, food, lifestyle, and business.
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