Most of Us Have Been Cyberattack Targets, Consumer Reports Finds. AI Isn’t Helping

A recent study by Consumer Reports, Aspen Digital, and the Global Cyber Alliance reveals that a staggering 9 out of every 10 Americans have been targeted by scams or cyberattacks. The report's author, Consumer Reports CEO Phil Radford, expressed concern, stating that AI is making fraud faster, cheaper, and more personal, making it impossible for individuals to protect themselves alone.

He emphasized the need for companies to be held accountable and governments to establish strict regulations. The findings highlight a significant decline in consumer confidence in personal data privacy, with over 1 in 4 Americans (29%) expressing no confidence in safeguarding their sensitive information. This figure has nearly doubled from the 2025 survey results of 16% who were not confident.

Over half (69%) of those surveyed admitted to scrutinizing texts and emails before clicking on any links, while 60% use multifactor authentication and 48% enable automatic software updates. However, their individual efforts are insufficient to combat the growing threat. The FBI's data breach, Russian military intelligence targeting home routers, and the surge in cyber incidents due to AI model testing and training underscore the urgent need for action.

Policy experts suggest that Congress could implement laws like the federal SCAM Act or the SAFE Platforms Act to penalize scammers exploiting online platforms. These measures could make it more expensive for companies to profit from scammers, thereby protecting consumers. In the meantime, common password best practices, such as using strong, unique passwords and enabling multifactor authentication, remain crucial.

Additionally, individuals should exercise caution when assessing messages from unknown sources, regardless of their perceived credibility.