Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Recent Data Shows Surprising Trends in Cybercrime Victimization

Recent Data Shows Surprising Trends in Cybercrime Victimization

September 22, 2023

When it comes to who is victimized in cybercriminal efforts, there may be a few stereotypes and presumptions that a lot of people may hold. A recent report, Oh, Behave!, released by the National Cybersecurity Alliance and Cybsafe, shows that the real victims of many forms of cybercrime aren’t who many would expect.

Let’s break down what Oh, Behave! indicates.

Cybercrime Victimization is a Complicated Subject

First off, surveyed participants overwhelmingly agreed that their online security was a priority—78% reporting in the affirmative, an excellent sign.

That being said, only half of respondents felt that remaining secure online was possible or under their control, with just under half claiming that doing so was either frustrating or intimidating. This is not the attitude you want present in your business, protecting the data that could potentially end your business if it were to be breached.

This Research Also Revealed Who Was Most Prone to Different Scams

Across effectively all forms of cybercriminal attack the survey covered—phishing, identity theft, romance scams, and cyberbullying—it was the younger generations, Gen Z and Millennials, who were most often victimized, or at least reported it most often.

Fortunately, many people are willing to report when they have been victimized, at least when it comes to phishing (69% reporting, as compared to 31% who did not report) and identity theft (74% reporting, as compared to 26% who did not report). Less promising were the reporting/not reporting rates for romance scams with 55% reporting, 45% not reporting, and cyberbullying with 52% reporting, and 48% not reporting, respectively.

It Is So Important to Train Your Team Members to Do Better

We can help. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help teach your team to be more secure. Give us a call at (571) 470-5594 today.

Previous Post
April 23, 2026
5 Common IT Mistakes You Must Fix in 2026
In 2026, technology isn't just a support department—it's the engine of your business. But as tools like AI and cloud computing become more accessible, the margin for error has narrowed. A single misstep can lead to data breaches, wasted budgets, or total operational paralysis.
April 21, 2026
Why Paying a Ransomware Demand is a Total Scam
Getting hit with ransomware feels like a digital kidnapping. Your files are locked, your business is paralyzed, and some hacker is demanding a massive bag of crypto to give you the keys back.
April 18, 2026
Simple Habits to Significantly Boost Your Productivity
If you feel like your to-do list keeps growing every day, you aren’t alone. For many entrepreneurs, the day feels like a losing battle against the clock, switching from sales spreadsheets to marketing plans until your brain feels like it has too many tabs open.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation for VA, DC and MD companies. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here