A new study from Kaspersky has uncovered an unsettling naivety in the digital behaviour of millennials. As the first generation to grow up with social media, millennials pride themselves on their technological prowess. According to the survey, 71% consider themselves the most digitally literate members of their households. Despite this self-assuredness, seven in ten (70%) respondents admitted that they do not always verify the authenticity of their digital connections. This finding is substantial when we consider that nearly two-thirds (64%) of millennials have encountered someone online that they believe misrepresented or distorted their true identity.
One in
ten millennials misrepresented their true identity on
social media
Digging deeper, the study found that more than
one in ten (14%) millennials have, at some point, used a fake name,
created a fake profile or deliberately pretended to be someone else
on social media. This statistic underlines a disturbing trend: digital
misrepresentation is not solely the domain of a
few deceitful users but is also a behaviour embraced by
some millennials themselves.
Ruth Guest, cyberpsychologist and
founder of the social media safety game, Sersha, comments: “When we trust
our own digital savvy implicitly, we may overlook the possibility
that others are not as genuine as they appear. In some
cases, individuals with strong narcissistic,
psychopathic or Machiavellian traits exploit this trust through
catfishing and other deceptive tactics.”
The repercussions of such behaviours are
evident, with 38% of millennials reporting negative experiences
due to misplaced trust online and 69% saying they are less
likely to trust and form relationships online. Perhaps most surprisingly,
despite all of this,
44% of millennials say they still trust information
shared within their onlinecommunities.
How millennials can
strengthen their digital defences
“As the primary digital administrators in
households worldwide, it is up to themillennials themselves to
identify and address their generation's naivety and misplaced
confidence. Their role extends beyond their own use,
influencing the broader onlinecommunity
through the management of others' digital lives,” Marc Rivero, Lead Security
Researcher in the Global Research & Analysis Team (GReAT) at
Kaspersky, says. “By taking proactive steps
like verifying identities, managing personal data, and staying informed on
cyber threats, millennials can maintain the control
over their onlinesafety and reduce the risk of deception. The digital
habits they cultivate not only
safeguard their own security but also set a precedent
for younger generations and less tech-savvy individuals,
reinforcing a culture of vigilance in an increasingly
deceptive online landscape.”
The following recommendations and resources can help millennials and their families and friends to navigate the risks that come with digital interactions:
- Verify identities: Reverse image searches, cross-check profiles and request video calls to confirm a person matches their pictures.
- Cross-reference information: Check for reputable sources to back up any information shared online to avoid spreading or engaging with misinformation.
- Manage personal information: Limit what can be seen and shared. Be cautious about what’s being shared online and adjust privacy settings to limit access to sensitive data. Use an online privacy checker to assist with this.
- Be cautious with geotagging: Posting specific places visited frequently can unintentionally reveal movement patterns. When using geotags, opt for abstract or non-specific locations.
- Be mindful of others' data: When sharing information that involves other individuals, always obtain their consent. Treat others' personal data with thesame level of care and respect as one’s own.
- Stay informed about digital scams: Keep informed on common online scams and red flags, ensuring everyone remains vigilant. The Kaspersky Daily blog offers up-to-date tips.
- Use strong passwords: Use a reliable security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager to generate and secure unique passwords for every account; resist thetemptation to reuse the same password for more accounts.
- Install updates: Keep apps and software up-to-date to patch security vulnerabilities and ensure optimal security for all devices. Additionally, use antivirus software like Kaspersky Premium to protect against threats like malicious links and identity theft in real time.
For additional tips on safeguarding personal data online, refer
to the anti-doxing checklist.
To access the full research report, visit the link here.
