Digital Security -- A Question of Perspective. A Large-Scale Telephone Survey with Four At-Risk User Groups

TL;DR

This study addresses the gap in quantitative, nationally representative data on digital security experiences among four at-risk groups in Germany (older adults, teenagers, people with migration backgrounds, and those with low formal education) using a large-scale CATI survey with $n=1003$. It analyzes device usage, security concerns, prior cybercrime experiences, perceived attackers, and information sources, revealing substantial cross-group variation and higher cybercrime exposure than the general population, especially among those with migration backgrounds. The findings show migration-background participants use more devices and seek security information more actively, while older adults use fewer devices and report fewer incidents; across groups, friends and online media dominate information sources, and there is generally low concern about interpersonal attackers. The results inform group-specific education channels, social-influence strategies, and policy directions to better protect at-risk users, while highlighting avenues for future cross-group research and intervention evaluation.

Abstract

This paper investigates the digital security experiences of four at-risk user groups in Germany, including older adults (70+), teenagers (14-17), people with migration backgrounds, and people with low formal education. Using computer-assisted telephone interviews, we sampled 250 participants per group, representative of region, gender, and partly age distributions. We examine their device usage, concerns, prior negative incidents, perceptions of potential attackers, and information sources. Our study provides the first quantitative and nationally representative insights into the digital security experiences of these four at-risk groups in Germany. Our findings show that participants with migration backgrounds used the most devices, sought more security information, and reported more experiences with cybercrime incidents than other groups. Older adults used the fewest devices and were least affected by cybercrimes. All groups relied on friends and family and online news as their primary sources of security information, with little concern about their social circles being potential attackers. We highlight the nuanced differences between the four at-risk groups and compare them to the broader German population when possible. We conclude by presenting recommendations for education, policy, and future research aimed at addressing the digital security needs of these at-risk user groups.

Figures (2)

• Figure 1: Participants from each group who were affected by different cybercrimes (Q6), rounded to full percentages.
• Figure 2: Participants' sources of information (Q8), rounded to full percentages. Only participants who answered "yes" to Q7 are included.