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
June 18, 2026
Workforce Reskilling: The 3-Step Framework to End Operational Chaos
Throwing a complex new platform at an untrained workforce creates frustration, tanks morale, and wastes money. Business owners frequently assume that buying advanced, AI-driven tools automatically makes a business faster, smarter, and more efficient. It does not.
June 15, 2026
"We Aren't Doing the AI Thing Yet" (And What We Found When We Checked the Logs)
I had a conversation with a client the other day—we were reviewing his quarterly IT strategy, and when I brought up artificial intelligence, he waved me off. He told me his company wasn’t "doing the AI thing yet," and he was absolutely certain his staff wasn't using it.
June 12, 2026
Principles of Managing User Access
The pressure to secure a business network is immense, but locking down digital environments too tightly can prevent staff from accessing necessary files and tools. Managing access effectively requires a balance between security and productivity.

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