A third of millennials think they're 'too boring' to be victim of cyber attack

33% of millennials think that they are 'too boring' to be the victim of a cyber-attack, even as 36% of the same demographic believe they should be doing more to strengthen their personal digital security.

This is according to a new report from Kaspersky which explores the extent to which we are changing our habits in accordance with how technology shifts around us.

While many millennials are concerned at how their data is being used and whether they are being targeted by cyber-attackers, according to Kaspersky any potential action taken to tighten their online security is at 'the bottom of their to-do list'.

This is even as the demographic group is spending nearly two extra hours online daily compared to the beginning of the year – bringing up the daily average to 7.1 hours a day.

In addition to affording millenials with more free time as they stay home, the COVID-19 pandemic and its knock-on effects on cybersecurity have made them more aware of their digital security, according to Kaspersky.

Almost half (49%) say this increased time online has made them more aware of their digital security. Millennials are spending most of their time on social media, but almost two thirds (61%) say that the rise of online dating from home is a particular concern for their digital security.

"It's not a surprise that millennials, who will shape how society uses technology for years to come, are placing more emphasis on digital security – particularly as the line between work and home becomes increasingly blurred," says Kaspersky vice president of marketing Andrew Winton.

"Protecting ourselves from digital threats can be simple, and this helps us better understand how we can help optimize safety within individual 'digital comfort zones.

To address cybersecurity concerns, almost half (52%) of millennials say that they only run trustworthy apps on their devices from official stores such as Apple Store and Google Play, while 49% run regular anti-virus scans on each of their devices to protect themselves.

To make sure devices and personal information remain protected on the internet, Kaspersky advises users to:

• Pay attention to a website's authenticity. Do not visit websites until you are sure that they are legitimate and start with 'https'. Try looking for reviews of sites that seem suspicious to you
• Keep a list of your online accounts so you have a full understanding of which services and websites may be storing your personal information
• Block the installation of programs from unknown sources in your smartphone's settings and only install apps from official app stores