Webroot Releases Report Ranking U.S.A. States on Cyber Hygiene

Top 5 Risky States Are Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Connecticut

BROOMFIELD - May 8, 2019

Mississippi, Louisiana, California, Alaska, and Connecticut are the riskiest states in the U.S.A. based on consumer preparedness for cyber-attacks, according to a new report from Webroot, the Smarter Cybersecurity® company. Executed in partnership with Wakefield Research, the report examines the cyber hygiene habits of 10,000 Americans, 200 in each state, to determine what behaviors and practices they have in place to protect their information or identity from cybercriminals. While the five previously mentioned states scored the lowest on the cyber hygiene test, the average respondent’s grade wasn’t good either: 60% (or a “D”).


 Check out Webroot’s 2019 Riskiest States Report 

The 5 Riskiest States:

  1. Mississippi
  2. Louisiana
  3. California
  4. Alaska 
  5. Connecticut

The 5 Least Risky (Safest) States:

  1. Kentucky
  2. Idaho
  3. Ohio
  4. North Dakota
  5. New Hampshire

Notable Findings:

Americans in every state are overconfident


Americans have a surface level understanding of common cyber threats


Less than half of Americans adopt cyber hygiene best practices

  • 63% of participants reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
  • 62% of participants rely on a free antivirus software.

A small group (5%) of cyber hygiene “superstars” go above and beyond in every state

  • These superstars take additional steps to protect themselves, including:
    • Backing up data using multiple methods (online and offline)
    • Investing in a reliable, modern-antivirus solution, and keeping it up to date
    • Using a secure password manager

Key Quote:

Tyler Moffitt, Senior Threat Research Analyst, Webroot

“Good cyber hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple steps like backing up data, using a modern antivirus, and not recycling passwords are quick and easy ways consumers can improve their security. In today’s digital world, no one is immune to cybercrime, and having the awareness and tools necessary to protect yourself is key in keeping personal information secure.”

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