Asia-Pacific Consumers Expect Cyber Threats but Overrate Their Online Safety, bolttech Finds

Global insurtech bolttech released new research examining the cyber protection gap across Asia-Pacific’s emerging and developed markets. bolttech found that although most consumers expect their households to face cybercrime, many overestimate how safely they behave online. This gap may explain why 39% report being victims, a risk made worse by AI-driven scams that are harder to spot. 

The Asia-Pacific Cyber Safety Landscape 2026 report examines consumer cyber readiness across emerging and developed markets using five indexes – Experience, Habits, Response, Trends and Trust – offering a holistic view of how cyber risks are perceived and managed. 

Conducted with independent research agency Blackbox Research, the study surveyed 3,850 consumers across 11 Asia-Pacific markets to assess online behaviours, experiences and attitudes toward cyber risk. 

The findings reveal clear regional contrasts, with emerging markets such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia reporting higher exposure to cybercrime and more frequent scam activity, whcile developed markets including South Korea and Japan record the lowest levels of trust in institutions and service providers to keep personal data safe. 

Consumers feel confident online, but their reported actions tell a different story 

There is a clear disconnect between confidence and reality online, with a 41% gap between perceived and actual safety habits: 

• 85% of respondents rate their online safety habits as “good” or “very good” while only 44% consistently practise strong online hygiene. 
• Emerging markets report higher confidence in online behaviour (91%) compared to developed markets (79%). Despite this, perception gaps are broadly similar across both markets. 

Passwords are the most basic line of cyber defence – yet nearly 70% of consumers admit to reusing them across multiple accounts with younger users identified as the worst offenders. 

“Scams have become an inescapable friction in the regional digital economy,” observed David Black, Founder and CEO, Blackbox Research, Singapore. “Yet even with the vast majority facing scam threats (90%), there is a stark disconnect between public anxiety and personal action, as most consumers declare their own safety protocols are failing to keep pace.”  

Cybercrime is everywhere – and getting harder to spot 

Nearly two thirds (64%) expect someone in their household to fall victim to cybercrime in the next year, while 89% have already encountered cyber threats or scam attempts. Yet confidence remains low: while 58% say they know how to respond in theory, only 24% feel fully confident in practice. 

Concerns are intensifying further, with 92% worried that AI will accelerate scams and make them harder to detect. With everyday exposure, cybercriminals target familiar channels such as calls, SMS, email and social platforms. Scam calls are the most prevalent in emerging markets, and suspicious SMS more common in developed markets. 

The financial fallout is already evident and felt across the region: 

• Half of respondents in emerging markets reported falling victim to cybercrime, with 71% of these victims also suffering a financial impact.  
• Incidents were less common in developed markets, but more costly, with about one in four losing more than USD500 per incident. 

Incident response seen as a shared responsibility, driving stronger demand for cyber protection solutions 

Nearly one in two respondents see cybersecurity as a shared responsibility across government, banks, telcos, tech platforms and individuals, while only 14% believe individuals alone should be the primary line of defence – highlighting strong expectations for institutional action.  

Despite ongoing gaps, consumers are increasingly proactive, with 71% across Asia-Pacific open to investing in cyber protection services: 

• Financially secure consumers prefer comprehensive protection solutions such as monitoring and alerts, family-focused protection, 24/7 incident support, and money loss coverage. 
• Price-conscious consumers prefer basic protection such as monitoring and alerts or scam blocking. 

“The time for collaboration is now. Insurers, banks, technology providers, telcos, and government institutions all have a role to play,” remarked Philip Weiner, Chief Executive Officer – APAC, bolttech. “Our task is clear: empower consumers to navigate cyber risks with confidence by delivering simple, reliable protection built into everyday digital experiences and designed for the realities of modern life.”  

To read the Asia-Pacific Cyber Safety Landscape 2026 study in full, please click here.