Russians Create Digital Cheat Sheets to Shield Relatives from Online Scams, Kaspersky Lab Study Reveals
Russians are moving beyond basic warnings and creating detailed digital and handwritten cheat sheets to help family members avoid online scams and other cyber threats, according to new research from Kaspersky Lab.
The study found that 54% of respondents worry about the internet safety of their relatives. The biggest concern is fraudsters, feared by 58% of those surveyed. Financial losses worry 48%, account takeovers concern 35%, malware infections trouble 31%, and sharing personal data with strangers is a fear for 27%.
Simple advice such as “don’t click randomly” is no longer considered enough. As a result, 63% of participants now prepare special guides for their loved ones on how to use services and devices safely. The most common format is screenshots with explanatory arrows and notes, used by 31% of respondents. Another 27% write step-by-step instructions by hand, 21% record voice memos, and 14% create printed guides.
Generation Z Leads in Family Cyber Hygiene
Unexpectedly, members of Generation Z, often called Zoomers, are the most active in creating these family guides: 53% of them produce online cheat sheets for relatives. Among Millennials the figure is 46%, while only 27% of Baby Boomers do the same.
A separate poll conducted at the International Youth Festival confirmed the trend, showing that helping relatives set up smartphones and computers ranks among the top three common digital habits, alongside timely device updates and checking app permissions.
The main survey was carried out in 2026 among 1,006 residents of large Russian cities.
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