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Are men and women significantly different in cyber safety? The answer is both yes and no!
All else being equal, there is no significant difference in vulnerability to cyber attacks between men and women. However, there are critical differences in the types of attacks each gender is more susceptible to.
Studies suggest that phishing attacks are more likely to target men, whereas social engineering attacks are more likely to target women. Additionally, men tend to fall victim to malware attacks more often, while women are more likely to become victims of identity theft.
It’s not that we are all born vulnerable to cyber criminal techniques. Instead, cyber criminals tailor their tactics to target specific demographics based on the social roles they occupy. For instance, they may send different emails depending on the websites you frequently visit or the industry you work in. However, it’s important to note that these trends are general and there are exceptions. Just because you don’t fit the traditional demographic for a scam doesn’t mean you are immune to it. It can happen to anyone!
Consider this scenario: Most high-level executives are men, accounting for almost 70% of the total. If you were a cyber criminal looking to target CEOs, you might adjust your language and messages to cater to this demographic. For instance, you could create fake advertisements for high-end suits or tailor your references accordingly. On the other hand, since women typically take on most of the child-rearing responsibilities in households, someone looking to defraud families in a particular neighborhood might create adware or malicious websites claiming to sell toys for kids.
No matter your gender, knowing how to protect yourself from ALL kinds of cyber-attacks is essential to your cyber safety.
- Be careful about what emails you open and what attachments you open.
- Keep your software updated, including your operating system, antivirus software, and web browser.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all your online accounts.
- Be careful about what information you share online.
- Be aware of the latest cyber threats and scams.
By following these tips, everyone can reduce their risk of becoming the victim of a cyberattack.
Commonwealth Sentinel offers a wide array of cyber security trainings as a full suite of services to help keep your organization cyber safe. Click here to sign up for a free consultation, or contact us at 502-320-9885 for more information.