ISLAMABAD, November 4, 2026: Nearly six in ten people pursuing online or hybrid education have encountered cybersecurity incidents, with one-quarter of affected learners suffering financial losses, according to a survey released by cybersecurity company Kaspersky.
The findings highlight growing digital security risks as students increasingly rely on educational websites, mobile applications and online communication platforms for academic and professional development.
Kaspersky reported that 62% of survey respondents had participated in some form of education during the previous 12 months. Among them, 45% studied entirely online, while 40% used a combination of online and in-person learning.
Suspicious messages and malicious links were the most frequently reported threats, affecting 27% of online and hybrid learners. Another 20% encountered fraudulent applications or websites, while 18% reported scams involving online communities or messaging groups.
Fake courses and education providers affected 17% of respondents. Malware distributed through educational files or applications and exposure of personal information were each reported by 16%, while 14% experienced problems involving unrecognised certificates. Account hacking affected 10%.
Beyond the immediate security risks, cyber incidents disrupted learning and undermined confidence in digital education services.
Among those affected, 47% reported losing time, 42% received unwanted advertising and 34% said their trust in educational platforms had declined. Financial losses were reported by 25% of victims.
Kaspersky said the expanding use of digital learning services across laptops, tablets and other connected devices was increasing the importance of security measures that work across multiple platforms.
The company has expanded support for its security products to Windows computers powered by ARM-based processors, including Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Snapdragon X Plus and Snapdragon X Elite devices.
The expansion is intended to extend AI-powered protection against scams, phishing attempts and malware to additional devices used for online education.
Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky, said the growing popularity of online university programmes and professional training had increased exposure to digital threats.
She identified ransomware attacks that block access to academic work, fraudulent course payments and compromised accounts resulting from malicious links as significant risks for students.
Titova said comprehensive protection was becoming increasingly important as educational activities moved across different devices and digital platforms.
To reduce cybersecurity risks, Kaspersky advised learners to use unique, complex passwords for each educational service and store their credentials securely.
The company also recommended security tools capable of detecting phishing attempts, monitoring suspicious activity and identifying potential personal data leaks.
Its consumer security portfolio incorporates machine learning-based anti-phishing technology, real-time behavioural monitoring and identity protection features designed to address evolving online threats.
