A 2024 survey of end users and IT professionals worldwide revealed that around three in 10 respondents used their work device for personal activities. Other common risky actions taken by end users included reusing or sharing passwords, or connecting without using a VPN at a public place, each highlighted by 26 percent of respondents.
Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Use work device for personal activities
29%
Reuse or share password
26%
Connect without using VPN at a public place
26%
Respond to a message (email or SMS text) from someone I don’t know
24%
Access inappropriate website
20%
Click on links or download attachments from someone I don’t know
19%
Share work device with friends or family
16%
Call an unfamiliar phone number in an urgent email
13%
Tailgating: allow others to enter the office without badging in
11%
Upload sensitive data to unproven third-party cloud
Data is based on a survey of 7,500 end users and 1,050 IT security professionals across 15 countries worldwide. Moreover, the source examined 183 million simulated phishing messages sent by its customers and over 24 million user-reported emails to uncover user vulnerability, behavior change, and risk.
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Proofpoint. (March 1, 2024). Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/
Proofpoint. "Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024." Chart. March 1, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/
Proofpoint. (2024). Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/
Proofpoint. "Most Common Risky End-user Behavior and Attitudes Worldwide in 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 1 Mar 2024, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/
Proofpoint, Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024 Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/ (last visited November 10, 2024)
Most common risky end-user behavior and attitudes worldwide in 2024 [Graph], Proofpoint, March 1, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1376108/risky-actions-taken-by-end-users-worldwide/
