How APAC cyber gap exposes households to fraud

bolttech found 39% were already hit by digital crime across the region.

Asia-Pacific’s (APAC) cyber protection gap is widening as many consumers expect cybercrime to affect their households, but their online safety practices often fall short.

APAC Cyber Safety Landscape 2026 by bolttech found that 85% of respondents rate their online safety habits as “good” or “very good”, whilst only 44% consistently practise strong online security behaviour. 

This leaves a 41% gap between perceived and actual safety practices.

At the same time, 39% of respondents said they had already been victims of cybercrime. 

Nearly two-thirds, or 64%, expect someone in their household to fall victim to cybercrime within the next year. 

The risk is being heightened by the growing use of artificial intelligence in scams, which 92% of respondents believe will make fraud harder to detect.

Exposure to cybercrime varies across the region. Emerging markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia report higher exposure to scams and cyber incidents. 

In contrast, developed markets, including South Korea and Japan, recorded lower levels of trust in institutions and service providers to keep personal data safe.

Financial losses linked to cybercrime are already affecting households across the region. 

Half of respondents in emerging markets said they had experienced cybercrime, and 71% of these victims reported financial losses. 

In developed markets, incidents were less common but more costly, with about one in four victims losing more than $500 per incident.

The study also suggests rising demand for cyber protection services, including insurance-linked products. 

Across the region, 71% of respondents said they are open to paying for cyber protection solutions. 

Consumers with higher incomes showed a preference for more comprehensive coverage, including monitoring and alerts, family protection services, 24/7 incident support and financial loss coverage. 

More price-sensitive consumers preferred basic protection tools such as scam blocking and monitoring services.

Nearly half of respondents said cybersecurity should be a shared responsibility amongst governments, banks, telecommunications providers, technology platforms and individuals, whilst only 14% believe individuals alone should be responsible for protecting themselves online.

The report surveyed 3,850 consumers across 11 markets in the region in partnership with Blackbox Research. It assessed cyber readiness using five indexes covering experience, habits, response, trends and trust.