Many individuals strive to safeguard themselves against cybercrimes by focusing on securing their laptops, smartphones, and other gadgets. However, the true danger may lie in the theft of personal data through alternative methods.
A survey commissioned by cybersecurity firm NordVPN, released on Friday, reveals that cybercriminals are changing their approach to gain access, and many of us are overlooking the warning signs. While attackers previously targeted devices directly—such as by inserting malicious files into computers—the emphasis has now shifted to manipulating people via scam calls, phishing messages that mimic well-known companies, and fake login pages designed to steal passwords.
Based on a survey of 1,200 Americans, NordVPN found that 91% of individuals are worried about cybersecurity scams. Approximately 56% express greater concern about broader issues like identity theft or fraud than about scam calls, which they encounter more frequently. On a daily basis, 46% of respondents report receiving scam calls, while 17% say they personally face identity theft and fraud.
“People imagine cybercrime as stolen accounts or drained bank accounts, but criminals succeed much earlier in the process,” said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN. “The actual moment of attack occurs when someone feels hurried, scared, or pressured into trusting too quickly. From there, it takes just a few clicks to go from a phone call to a stolen identity.”
In essence, many people are unaware of the significant risks associated with scam calls or phishing emails. “They are the starting point for the very types of identity theft and financial fraud that people fear most,” Briedis added.
Scam calls have risen notably over the past year, but there are ways to counter them. One method is to use the iOS call screening feature on iPhones and ignore calls from unknown numbers.
NordVPN recommends several steps to protect yourself from cybercrime. If you encounter a suspicious text message, email, or call, pause before taking any action. According to NordVPN, scammers like to rush you, and messages that seem urgent should be treated as suspicious.
“Modern attacks rely on people reacting faster than they can think,” Briedis said.
Additional steps include: verifying information before responding; ensuring links and addresses are legitimate before clicking; enabling multifactor notifications whenever possible and using strong passwords; only accepting downloads from trusted sources; and downloading security software that can handle multiple cyber threats at once.