Reality Check report , 70% of Millennials occasionally verify the authenticity of their connections, and 64% claim to have encountered someone online who they believe has misrepresented or distorted their true identity. The study also reveals a naiveté in the digital behavior of Millennials. Being the first generation to grow up with social media, they pride themselves on their technological experiences and achievements: 71% believe they are the most digitally savvy members of their families.
According to the study, 14% of Millennials claim to have used a fake name, created a fictitious profile, or pretended to be someone else on social media. This statistic highlights a worrying trend: digital impersonation is not just the domain of criminals, but a behavior adopted by some people in this generation.
“ When we rely solely on our own digital knowledge, we may end up ignoring the possibility that others may not be as virtually innocent as we imagine. In some cases, people with strong narcissistic, psychopathic, or Machiavellian traits exploit this trust through catfishing and other deceptive tactics,” says Ruth Guest, Cyberpsychologist and Founder of the Social Media Safety Game Sersha .
The results of these behaviors are evident, with 38% of the generation reporting negative experiences due to a loss of online trust and 68% stating that they are less likely to trust and establish relationships online. Perhaps most surprising is the fact that, despite all this, 44% of respondents say they still trust information shared through virtual communities.
“As the primary digital stewards in homes around the world, it is up to millennials themselves to identify and address the problem of their generation’s naiveté and mistrust. Their role extends beyond their own usage, influencing the wider online community through managing the digital lives of others,” says Marc Rivero, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT).
“By taking proactive measures, such as identity verification, personal data management, and information about cyber threats, Millennials can maintain control over their online security and reduce the risk of deception. The digital habits they cultivate not only protect their own security but also create greater caution for younger generations and those less technologically savvy, reinforcing a culture of vigilance in an increasingly deceptive online landscape,” Rivero adds
The recommendations below can help millennials, their families, and friends navigate the risks they may encounter in digital interactions:
- Verify identities: perform reverse image searches, cross-check profiles, and video calls to confirm that a person matches the photos they post.
- Cross-referencing information: verify that there are reliable sources that show the information being shared to avoid spreading or engaging with misinformation.
- Protect your personal information: limit what can be seen and shared. Be careful about what you display and adjust your privacy settings to restrict access to sensitive data.
- Be careful with location: posting frequently visited locations can unintentionally reveal behavioral patterns. When using location tags, opt for broad or non-specific locations.
- Be mindful of other people's data: when sharing information involving other people, always obtain their consent. Treat this data with the same level of care and respect as your own.
- Stay informed about digital scams: always be aware of the most common online scams and their warning signs, ensuring increased vigilance. The Kaspersky Daily offers up-to-date suggestions for this.
- Use strong passwords: Trusted security solutions like Kaspersky Password Manager generate protected and unique passwords for each account. Resist the temptation to reuse the same password for more than one account.
- Install updates: Keep applications and software up-to-date to fix security vulnerabilities and ensure optimal security for all devices. Additionally, use antivirus software like Kaspersky Premium to protect yourself against threats such as malicious calls and real-time identity theft.
To access the report, follow this link .
