Most common risky actions taken by end users worldwide 2024

Published by
Alexandra Borgeaud,
Mar 10, 2025
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

CharacteristicShare 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 10%
Give credentials to untrustworthy source 9%
Have never taken a risky action 29%
Showing entries 1 to 12 (12 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents29%29%26%26%26%26%24%24%20%20%19%19%16%16%13%13%11%11%10%10%9%9%29%29%Use work device for personal activitiesReuse or share passwordConnect without using VPN at a public placeRespond to a message (email or SMS text) from someone I don’t knowAccess inappropriate websiteClick on links or download attachments from someone I don’t knowShare work device with friends or familyCall an unfamiliar phone number in an urgent emailTailgating: allow others to enter the office without badging inUpload sensitive data to unproven third-party cloudGive credentials to untrustworthy sourceHave never taken a risky action
0%10%20%30%2.5%5%7.5%12.5%15%17.5%22.5%25%27.5%32.5%

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Release date

March 2024

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2024

Number of respondents

7,500 respondents

Supplementary notes

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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