Which Populations Are Most Vulnerable to Phishing? (2026) - TheBestVPN.com

Key Takeaways Adults 65+ face the highest phishing success rate at 22% 193,407 phishing complaints filed with FBI in 2024 Ages 25-44 show 20% success rate – frequent use doesn’t equal safety Young adults (18-24) least vulnerable at 12% success rate The Story Behind the Numbers In the United States, the FBI logged 193,407 phishing complaints in 2024, but phishing does not affect all populations equally. The data shows clear differences in how often phishing attempts succeed across age groups. Adults aged 65 and older are the most vulnerable, with a phishing success rate of 22%, meaning more than one in five attacks lead to compromise. Working-age adults are also heavily affected. People aged 25-44 show a 20% success rate, followed by ages 45-64 at 18%. Younger adults aged 18-24 have the lowest rate at 12%, but they are not immune. Overall, phishing impacts a wide range of users, not just one specific demographic. Why This Data is Important This data helps identify which populations need the most protection and education. Over the past year, scam attempts reached 57% of adults worldwide, so narrowing down who is most likely to be fooled is where prevention becomes practical. Higher success rates among older adults suggest challenges in spotting increasingly realistic scam messages. Given the estimated $442 billion lost to scams globally each year, those realism gains are not just cosmetic, they translate into real money. However, the elevated rates among people aged 25-44 show that frequent internet use does not automatically reduce risk. Most phishing attacks now copy everyday online behavior, such as login alerts or service notifications. Reducing exposed information, such as learning how to hide your IP, can help limit targeting. A general understanding of how VPNs work can help users maintain safer daily browsing habits. Looking Ahead: Future Outlook Phishing success rates indicate that attackers are improving their targeting rather than relying on obvious scams. As more services move online, vulnerability among adults over 25 may remain high unless awareness improves. Better education and consistent privacy habits will be key to reducing future risk. Source & Methodology The data used in this analysis comes from research published by Keepnet Labs. The figures reflect phishing success rates by age group, based on observed victim profiles and susceptibility patterns across real-world phishing incidents.