Young Australians are increasingly losing confidence in online safety
A new report from the Australian Cyber Collaboration Center reveals worrying trends among all Australians.
Young Australians are becoming more complacent about safety online and on their devices, according to new research from the Australian Cyber Collaboration Center (Aus3C).
Aus3C The Annual Report on Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviorsfunny title Oh, behave! 2024-2025paints a picture not only of a decline in security confidence among Generation Z and millennials, but also of a broader pattern of frustration among Australians of all ages.
The report – released ahead of Cyber Security Awareness Month in October – surveyed 6,500 people in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, Germany, France and India. The survey was conducted by risk management company CybSafe.
The survey reveals the majority of young Australians don’t think online safety is worth it and are reducing their online activities as a result. In contrast, 43% believe their devices are secure by default, showing a high degree of complacency when it comes to device security.
Gen Z is also one of the worst cohorts when it comes to secure passwords. While the use of common personal passwords, such as pet names, has increased in the community, 52% of Gen Z Australians use personal information as passwords.
The adoption of multi-factor authentication (MFA) follows a similar pattern. Eighty-one percent of all age groups are aware of AMF; Gen Z and millennials are more likely not to use it, while of those who do, many have since stopped using MFA.
Online safety is a frustrating issue for all generations of Australians. However, 52% feel frustrated with online security processes, while 44% find staying safe online complex and intimidating. Australians also don’t see the point in staying safe, with 60% of respondents saying it’s simply not worth it, a decrease of 9% from last year.
“Complacency and frustration are dangerous combinations in the fight against cybercrime in Australia,” Matthew Salier, chief executive of the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre, said in a statement.
“Vulnerability to cyberattacks is particularly concerning among younger generations, as they do not take adequate precautions, rely too much on others, or assume their devices are secure. »
Artificial intelligence is also a growing concern. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they had not received training on how to use AI safely, with that figure rising to 58 percent among students. Australians are also the least trusting of AI in the world, with only 35% trusting companies like OpenAI, compared to 71% of respondents in India.
“As the threat landscape evolves with the introduction of AI, we need to equip individuals and organizations in Australia with the tools they need to navigate this complex environment,” Salier said.
You can read the full report here.
