Nearly one-third (32%) of people are worried someone will learn about their vote with 3% of respondents stating they will not vote due to privacy or security concerns
Malwarebytes, a global leader in real-time cyber protection, released new research revealing that the majority of people are deeply concerned about their personal information security and privacy, and the trustworthiness of political messages and ads during the US election season. According to the survey, 74% of respondents consider the US election season a risky time for their privacy and personal data protection, with many voicing concerns over potential cybercrime and misinformation.
“The electoral process, believe it or not, is a lot like cybersecurity. It’s complex, relies on old systems, and requires active participation. Unfortunately, this is also why it’s so ripe for abuse, as cybercriminals leverage uncertainty, confusion, and urgency to launch election-related scams,” said David Ruiz, senior privacy advocate, Malwarebytes. “This survey highlights how in cybersecurity and in democratic governance, the public must participate to stay safe and to maintain agency. It also underscores the need for ongoing consumer education to share what information about them is stored—for example, the fact that they voted but not who they voted for—and how they can take steps to protect their personal information in our digital-first society.”
Key Findings
- Fears of Cybercrime
- When it comes to political messages, 52% of respondents are “very concerned” or “concerned” about falling victim to a scam when interacting with a campaign ad or communication. Additionally, 32% are worried that someone could learn about their vote, with 73% of that group fearing their vote could be exposed to cybercriminals.
- Cyber Interference
- The majority of people are not confident in the security of the election process itself. 74% of respondents said they do not believe the US election process will be free from cyber interference, reflecting widespread anxiety about potential tampering.
- Taking Action to Protect Personal Information
- Despite these concerns, 57% of respondents have taken measures to protect their information during this election season, including:
- Enabling Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)/Two-factor Authentication (2FA) (77%)
- Using a password manager (47%)
- Purchasing identity theft protection (41%)
- Researching the origins of campaigns they engage with (31%)
- Locking down social media profiles (24%)
- Despite these concerns, 57% of respondents have taken measures to protect their information during this election season, including:
- Impact on Voting
- Concerns about privacy and security are widespread and, alarmingly, 3% of respondents said they would not vote due to privacy or security concerns.
How to avoid election-related scams
- Watch out for fake emails and text messages. Unless you directly reach out, avoid clicking on links or engaging with these political communications. They could be phishing links designed to steal your sensitive data. Instead, go directly to the campaign’s website for information or links to donate.
- Be mindful of sharing personal information. As a general rule, don’t engage in surveys that ask for personal information. You can check what information is already available about you on the dark web with the Malwarebytes free Digital Footprint scan or take the first step in removing your personal information from the network of data brokers online with a Personal Data Remover scan.
- Avoid robocalls and phone scams. Hackers can spoof phone numbers and impersonate official organizations. Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls. Immediately hang up, don’t share personal information, and report the phone number.
