Gen Z in APAC skip antivirus on mobiles despite 90% facing cyber threats
Synopsis
Nine in ten Gen Z users in APAC experienced a cyber incident last year — yet only 22 per cent use antivirus software on their phones. Kaspersky's survey of 7,200 people exposes a dangerous gap between digital confidence and actual security practice, with India standing out as the most threat-aware market in the region.
Key Takeaways
Only 22 per cent of APAC Gen Zs use antivirus software on mobile devices, and 35 per cent change passwords regularly — lower than all older generations.
90 per cent of APAC Gen Z respondents reported at least one cyber incident in the past year, including hacks, scams, and data leaks.
75 per cent of APAC Gen Zs rely on smartphones as their primary internet device, yet digital security adoption remains low.
India leads the APAC region in self-reported understanding of digital threats at 35 per cent , ahead of Indonesia and Malaysia at 28 per cent each.
Only 26 per cent of APAC Gen Zs rate their digital security knowledge as advanced, despite two-thirds feeling broadly confident online.
Findings are based on a Kaspersky survey of approximately 7,200 respondents worldwide, released on 28 August .
A new report by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, published on 28 August, reveals a striking paradox: Gen Z users across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region spend more time online than any previous generation, yet are significantly less likely to adopt basic digital security practices such as using antivirus software on smartphones or changing passwords regularly. The findings are drawn from a survey of approximately 7,200 respondents worldwide.
Online Presence vs Security Gaps
The report found that 57 per cent of Gen Zs globally spend more time online than offline, with 56 per cent of APAC Gen Zs reflecting the same pattern. Smartphones are central to this digital life — 75 per cent of APAC Gen Zs identify their phone as the primary device for regular internet use.
Despite this heavy reliance on connected devices, protective behaviours remain alarmingly low. Only 22 per cent of APAC Gen Zs use antivirus software on mobile devices, and just 35 per cent change their passwords regularly — figures that trail behind those for Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
Confidence Without Competence
About two-thirds of APAC Gen Z respondents say they feel confident navigating the digital world. However, only 26 per cent rate their actual understanding of digital threats and online safety practices as advanced — a significant gap between perceived and real security awareness.
Country-level data reveals further variation. Understanding of digital threats was highest in India at 35 per cent, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia at 28 per cent each. Confidence was notably lower in Vietnam (24 per cent), Thailand (23 per cent), and especially China, where only 10 per cent rated their digital security knowledge as advanced.
Cyber Incidents Already Widespread
The consequences of this security gap are already visible. A striking 90 per cent of Gen Z respondents in APAC reported experiencing at least one cyber incident in the past year. These included social media account hacks, data leaks, online scams, and loss of access to gaming accounts.
This is not an isolated finding — it aligns with a broader global pattern in which younger, digitally fluent users underestimate their exposure to cyber threats precisely because they feel at home online.
What Experts Say
Irina Ermilova, Vice President for Consumer Product Management at Kaspersky, cautioned against conflating digital fluency with security expertise. 'Gen Z has grown up online, so digital services often feel intuitive and familiar to them. However, familiarity should not be confused with security expertise. Being able to navigate apps, platforms and devices confidently does not necessarily mean being able to identify scams, manage passwords securely or protect personal data,' she said.
What This Means Going Forward
As APAC governments and tech platforms push for deeper digital inclusion, the Kaspersky findings suggest that cybersecurity literacy must be treated as a distinct priority — separate from digital access or usage. With Gen Z poised to dominate the workforce and consumer base across the region, the security habits they form now could have long-term implications for corporate and personal data safety alike.
Point of View
Given the 90 per cent incident rate. What is particularly concerning is that this cohort will soon constitute the majority of employees handling sensitive organisational data. The APAC region's cybersecurity frameworks, largely built around enterprise and government infrastructure, have not yet caught up with the consumer-level vulnerability this generation represents. India's relative strength in threat awareness is encouraging, but a 35 per cent score is hardly a high bar.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Kaspersky Gen Z cybersecurity report find?
The Kaspersky report, based on a survey of approximately 7,200 respondents worldwide, found that Gen Z users in APAC are significantly less likely than older generations to use antivirus software on mobile phones or change passwords regularly, despite spending more time online. Notably, 90 per cent of APAC Gen Z respondents experienced at least one cyber incident in the past year.
How many APAC Gen Zs use antivirus software on their phones?
Only 22 per cent of Gen Z respondents in the Asia-Pacific region use antivirus software on mobile devices, according to the Kaspersky report. This is lower than the corresponding figures for Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
Which APAC country has the highest digital security awareness among Gen Z?
India leads the APAC region, with 35 per cent of Gen Z respondents rating their understanding of digital threats and online safety practices as advanced. Indonesia and Malaysia follow at 28 per cent each, while China ranks lowest at 10 per cent.
Why are Gen Z users considered vulnerable to cyber threats despite being digitally confident?
According to Kaspersky's Vice President Irina Ermilova, familiarity with apps and platforms does not equate to security expertise. Gen Z's ability to navigate digital services confidently does not mean they can effectively identify scams, manage passwords, or protect personal data — creating a gap between perceived and actual security competence.
What types of cyber incidents did APAC Gen Z users experience?
The report found that 90 per cent of APAC Gen Z respondents faced at least one cyber incident in the past year. These included social media account hacks, data leaks, online scams, and loss of access to gaming accounts.
