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Most Americans Neglect Cyber Security Basics (Especially Mississippians)

On average, Americans scored 60 percent, or a D rating, on Webroot's "cyber hygiene" test. Those from Mississippi, Louisiana, and California scored the lowest.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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Using a reliable anti-virus program, virtual private network, and password manager can help you avoid falling victim to online identity theft and other cybercrimes. But unfortunately, most Americans neglect cybersecurity best practices, according to a new survey from Webroot.

The Why Axis BugThe survey of 10,000 US adults (200 from each state), conducted in February in partnership with Wakefield Research revealed that most Americans are "overconfident" about their cybersecurity posture. Nearly nine out of ten respondents (88 percent) said they believe they are taking the appropriate steps to protect themselves from cybercrime. In reality, just 10 percent are, Webroot found.

The firm asked respondents whether they take precautions such as using antivirus software, regularly backing up their data, and keeping social media accounts private, and whether they engage in risky behaviors such as sharing passwords with others, reusing passwords, and connecting to public Wi-Fi without a VPN. They also asked respondents whether they have had their identity stolen, been impacted by malware, or fallen victim to phishing in the last year.

Based on their answers, Webroot gave respondents a grade from zero to 100 percent.

On average, Americans scored a 60 percent, or a D rating, on Webroot's cyber hygiene test. Those from Mississippi, Louisiana, and California scored the lowest, making them most susceptible to cybercrime, Webroot found. Even the highest-ranking state, New Hampshire, only scored 65 percent.

Part of the problem is a lack of understanding about basic threats, Webroot found. While most Americans have heard of malware and phishing, few could explain what they are.

"Good cyber hygiene doesn't have to be complicated," Webroot Senior Threat Research Analyst Tyler Moffitt said in a statement. "Simple steps like backing up data, using a modern antivirus, and not recycling passwords are quick and easy ways consumers can improve their security. In today's digital world, no one is immune to cybercrime, and having the awareness and tools necessary to protect yourself is key in keeping personal information secure."

For more on the survey and what you can do to shield yourself from cybercrime, check out the infographic below.

The Why Axis Chart Webroot cyber hygiene ranking

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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