Research examining Gen Z cyberattacks indicates that 52% of respondents from this generation have faced security incidents involving their personal devices, online accounts, or private data. A study conducted by the market research center at cybersecurity firm Kaspersky surveyed 7,200 individuals across 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia. The data indicates that despite high online activity, basic security measures remain neglected among younger internet users.
Survey reveals gap between digital confidence and practice
According to the findings, 57% of Gen Z participants spend more time online than offline, which represents the highest proportion among all generations surveyed. Furthermore, 67% identified smartphones as their primary device for daily internet access. Almost six in ten respondents, or 59%, reported feeling confident in digital spaces, yet only 28% classified their technical skills as advanced.
This discrepancy between daily confidence and technical expertise leaves personal hardware exposed. Only 27% of respondents reported using antivirus protection on mobile devices, which is notably lower than figures recorded for older demographics. In addition, users surveyed rarely update account passwords on a regular basis.
Patterns in Gen Z cyberattacks and compromised accounts
The consequences of weak device administration show clear trends across popular internet platforms. Specifically, 17% of respondents experienced social media intrusions, while 12% lost control of an account related to online gaming platforms. When devices suffer an intrusion, sensitive files face immediate exposure to malicious actors.
Smartphones store significant amounts of confidential data that users value highly. Personal documents and photos are considered critical by 38% of respondents, while 30% view stored credentials as vital. Despite these assessments, only 28% of respondents routinely make backup copies of files stored on their phones.
“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. 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.”
Irina Ermilova, Vice President for Consumer Product Management at Kaspersky
Protective measures for mobile operating environments
The study highlights how compromised handheld hardware exposes identity paperwork, email services, and personal banking records. To address user vulnerability to Gen Z cyberattacks, Kaspersky introduced an educational detective game titled Case 404. This game introduces participants to simulated scenarios involving common phishing attempts, online scams, and account hijackings.
Security specialists advise users to incorporate defensive habits into everyday device interactions. Practical steps include running dedicated protection utilities on phones to block malware, alongside dedicated password managers that generate unique login combinations for every online platform.
International research parameters across global markets
Kaspersky conducted the study during 2026 across 18 separate countries. Participants joined the survey from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. The findings confirm that rising levels of connectivity require active digital routines to reduce exposure to Gen Z cyberattacks across mobile platforms.
