Nearly 7 out of 10 (68%) US citizens say they were targeted by cybercriminals within the last 12 months. Research shows that hackers launch around 26,000 attacks in the USA - EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Online privacy expert Surfshark wanted to know where these attacks were taking place - and who is most at risk. So using data collected and analyzed from the FBI's recent Internet Crime Complaint Center report, they created several maps showing the US states with the highest number of cyber-attacks.
Here's a summary of what Surfshark found out.
It's unclear why Nevada is such a popular phishing spot for hackers and cybercriminals. Identity thieves may be targeting tourists who visit Las Vegas to gamble.
Nevada is also home to a larger number of senior citizens aged 60 or over. Older people are often prime targets for hackers.
On average, cybercrime victims in North Dakota lose a whopping $31,711 during the attack. Ouch.
Fake romance and fraudulent investment scams are the most common cyberattacks launched in North Dakota. They siphoned over $12million from the bank accounts of unsuspecting and naive victims in 2021.
And here's the really bad news. Many insurance policies don't cover these attacks, as the funds are often sent 'voluntarily.'
But a significant number of US cyber-attacks are launched internally, and often by hackers living in the same states as their targets.
Unsurprisingly, the state with the highest number of cyber-attacks (Nevada) also has the highest number of cyber attackers. Nevada has 150 hackers and cyber criminals for every 100,000 internet users.
Only two other states have more than 100 cybercriminals per 100,000 internet users. They are Delaware (120) and Maryland (113).
The good folk of Wisconsin can feel confident that the next-door neighbor isn't trying to hack their email or bank accounts. There are only 27 hackers per 100,000 people in The Badger State.
The average cyber-attacker targeting people in Colorado nets almost $34,000 per scam.
Launching an attack in neighboring Wyoming is almost as fruitful. Attackers are escaping with $27,918 per scam.
There are slim pickings in Connecticut and Nebraska. On average, cybercriminals ‘walk away' with less than $5,000 per 'successful' attack.
In this instance, those 'easy targets' are older people who fall into the 60+ age category. Seniors are the most targeted group n over 30 of the 50 US states, including Idaho, Kansas, and Maine.
Older people are targeted because they’re viewed as less digitally savvy. It's also assumed they have more savings to steal.
The threat of cybercrime is very real. And as more of our lives move online, it's a danger that won't be going anytime soon. Be careful out there.
Read next: The most dangerous pieces of software to search for and download
Online privacy expert Surfshark wanted to know where these attacks were taking place - and who is most at risk. So using data collected and analyzed from the FBI's recent Internet Crime Complaint Center report, they created several maps showing the US states with the highest number of cyber-attacks.
Here's a summary of what Surfshark found out.
The worst place in the US for cybercrime
Cybercrime is a massive issue in Nevada. According to the Surfshark study, 801 out of every 100,000 internet users in Nevada are victims of cybercrimes; that's the highest number in the study and 4X more than the national average.It's unclear why Nevada is such a popular phishing spot for hackers and cybercriminals. Identity thieves may be targeting tourists who visit Las Vegas to gamble.
Nevada is also home to a larger number of senior citizens aged 60 or over. Older people are often prime targets for hackers.
Where cybercrime is most costly
Nevada might be the most vulnerable state in terms of the number of attacks. But the biggest damage, at least from a financial perspective, goes down in North Dakota.On average, cybercrime victims in North Dakota lose a whopping $31,711 during the attack. Ouch.
Fake romance and fraudulent investment scams are the most common cyberattacks launched in North Dakota. They siphoned over $12million from the bank accounts of unsuspecting and naive victims in 2021.
And here's the really bad news. Many insurance policies don't cover these attacks, as the funds are often sent 'voluntarily.'
US states with the most cybercriminal
Cybercrime is an international business. Hackers can launch attacks from anywhere in the world, targeting victims who live thousands of miles away. Funds are then rerouted all over the globe, making them virtually impossible to track, trace, and recover.But a significant number of US cyber-attacks are launched internally, and often by hackers living in the same states as their targets.
Unsurprisingly, the state with the highest number of cyber-attacks (Nevada) also has the highest number of cyber attackers. Nevada has 150 hackers and cyber criminals for every 100,000 internet users.
Only two other states have more than 100 cybercriminals per 100,000 internet users. They are Delaware (120) and Maryland (113).
The good folk of Wisconsin can feel confident that the next-door neighbor isn't trying to hack their email or bank accounts. There are only 27 hackers per 100,000 people in The Badger State.
The 'best' states for cyberattackers
There's a new gold rush happening in Colorado. But 'prospectors' aren't digging for rare and precious metals. Instead, they're using cyberattacks to mine the personal data of state residents, then stealing vast amounts of their money.The average cyber-attacker targeting people in Colorado nets almost $34,000 per scam.
Launching an attack in neighboring Wyoming is almost as fruitful. Attackers are escaping with $27,918 per scam.
There are slim pickings in Connecticut and Nebraska. On average, cybercriminals ‘walk away' with less than $5,000 per 'successful' attack.
The groups that hackers attack the most
Cybercriminals are digital predators. And predators never go after the strongest prey. Instead, they target the weak and the vulnerable, the perceived 'easy targets.In this instance, those 'easy targets' are older people who fall into the 60+ age category. Seniors are the most targeted group n over 30 of the 50 US states, including Idaho, Kansas, and Maine.
Older people are targeted because they’re viewed as less digitally savvy. It's also assumed they have more savings to steal.
The threat of cybercrime is very real. And as more of our lives move online, it's a danger that won't be going anytime soon. Be careful out there.
Read next: The most dangerous pieces of software to search for and download
