46% of Americans Have Faced a Cyberattack — Here’s How to Stay Safe
Every year, Aspen Digital and Consumer Reports release a study that looks at how Americans protect themselves online. The newest 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report shows that while most people are taking steps to stay safe, hackers are still finding new ways to break in.
Here’s what the report reveals and what you can do to protect yourself.
Scams Are Everywhere and Getting Smarter
Nearly half of Americans say they have faced a cyberattack or scam. Almost one in ten lost money because of it.
Scammers are changing how they reach people. Attacks that once came through email are now spreading through text messages, social media, and direct messages. Younger adults are especially at risk since they rely more on mobile apps and messaging platforms.
What You Can Do: Be careful with unexpected texts or DMs. If someone sends a link or says you must act quickly, stop and verify before clicking.
Who Loses the Most
The report shows that not everyone is affected equally. Black Americans are more than twice as likely to lose money to scams compared to White Americans. People with lower incomes also report higher losses.
What You Can Do: Scammers often target people they believe are vulnerable or in a hurry. Always double-check before sending money, sharing personal information, or clicking a link.
Who Loses the Most
The report shows that not everyone is affected equally. Black Americans are more than twice as likely to lose money to scams compared to White Americans. People with lower incomes also report higher losses.
What You Can Do: Scammers often target people they believe are vulnerable or in a hurry. Always double-check before sending money, sharing personal information, or clicking a link.
Where We’re Falling Behind
While progress is being made, there are still big gaps.
- Only 48% of people review their security settings at least twice a year.
- Just 24% encrypt their hard drives.
- Many do not know if their firewall is turned on.
- Fewer than half of Americans feel confident their personal data is private.
What You Can Do: Make a habit of checking your privacy and security settings every few months. Even a quick review can make a big difference.
Simple Steps You Can Take Today
- Use strong, unique passwords. Try a password manager or PC Matic’s free password generator.
- Turn on MFA everywhere. Use an authenticator app or passkey instead of text codes when possible.
- Keep software updated. Outdated apps are easy targets. PC Matic Antivirus updates them automatically to keep you safe.
- Be cautious with links. Do not click messages from unknown senders.
- Back up your data. Store backups securely to recover from a ransomware attack or device failure.
The Bottom Line
Cybercriminals are adapting quickly, but you can still stay ahead. The 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report shows progress, but also that there is work left to do.
Staying safe online does not have to be complicated. A few smart habits like updating software, using strong passwords, and turning on MFA can make all the difference.
Start small, stay consistent, and make cybersecurity part of your daily routine.
