Cybercrime Statistics: 116 Victims Per Hour Expected by 2025 – Can We Handle the Impact?

Cybercrime is on the rise, and it’s something that’s affecting all of us—whether we realize it or not. With how fast technology is evolving, cybercriminals are getting smarter, too. So, staying updated on cybercrime statistics is crucial to understanding the growing risks.

Now, I know it can be overwhelming to think about all the ways cybercrime can impact us, but staying ahead of the game is crucial. Whether you’re running a business or just managing your own online presence, understanding the scope of these threats can make a big difference in how you protect yourself.

Here’s something that might surprise you: IBM’s 2023 report shows that 95% of organizations have dealt with at least one cybersecurity incident. That’s a huge number! But what’s even more surprising is that only 51% of them plan to boost their security spending. And get this—57% would rather pass the costs of these incidents on to their customers. Can you believe that?

In this report, I’ve pulled together some key cybercrime statistics that I think you’ll find really eye-opening. By diving into these numbers, you’ll be in a better position to protect yourself and stay one step ahead of the bad guys.

The Future of Cybercrime: VPNRanks’ 2025 Key Findings

In the 2025 cybercrime statistics analysis, VPNRanks unveils key insights based on past data, highlighting emerging trends and what to expect in the year ahead:

In a recent video by VPNRanks, the growing threat of cybercrime was highlighted, emphasizing the increasing frequency of online attacks. The video explores how various forms of cybercrime, such as phishing and ransomware, are evolving and becoming more sophisticated. It underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures to protect against these rising threats.

The Rising Number of Cybercrime Victims: A Closer Look

The number of cybercrime victims continues to climb, reflecting the growing sophistication and frequency of attacks. These statistics reveal the widespread impact of cybercrime on individuals and businesses alike.

🚨VPNRanks predicts that by 2025, the number of cybercrime victims may rise to approximately 8.5 billion, driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and expanding digital exposure.

Data Findings

The data from Astra highlights a significant increase in the number of cybercrime victims over the past two decades. This upward trend underscores the escalating threat and its widespread impact on a global scale.

By examining this data, it’s clear that the number of cybercrime victims has surged dramatically, especially in the last decade. The exponential growth reflects the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and the expanding digital landscape. Understanding these trends is crucial for anticipating future risks and strengthening cybersecurity measures.

VPNRanks’s Future Predictions

VPNRanks has projected the future number of cybercrime victims based on current trends. These predictions highlight the escalating cybersecurity challenges we may face.

These figures were calculated using a linear regression model, which analyzes historical data to forecast future trends.

Why We Expect Cybercrime to Surge

1. Historical Data Patterns: The predictions for cybercrime statistics are based on a consistent upward trend observed over the past two decades, indicating a growing number of cybercrime victims.
2. Technological Advancements: As technology evolves, cyber criminals gain more sophisticated tools, leading to an increase in successful cyberattacks.
3. Global Digital Expansion: With more individuals and businesses going online, the number of potential targets for cybercrime continues to rise, contributing to the projected increase in victims.

The Frequency of Cybercrime: How Often Does It Occur?

Cybercrime is a constant threat, happening more frequently than many realize. As technology advances, the rate of cyberattacks continues to rise, making it a persistent concern for individuals and businesses alike.

🔐 VPNRanks predicts that by 2025, the number of cybercrime victims may reach 116 per hour, fueled by the increasing reliance on digital platforms and the rising frequency of online activities. 

Data Findings

The impact of cybercrime is staggering, with data revealing just how widespread and costly these attacks have become. Here are some key statistics that highlight the severity of the issue:

• The total damages caused by cybercrimes in 2022 reached $6 trillion (Cybersecurity Exchange).
• According to statistics from various sources, Ivana cited that over 33 billion accounts are estimated to be breached by 2023 (Cybersecurity Exchange).
• This translates to 2,328 accounts breached per day and 97 cybercrime victims per hour in 2023 (Astra)
• Over the last 21 years, from 2001 to 2021, cybercrime has claimed at least 6.5 million victims with an estimated loss of nearly $26 billion (Astra).

VPNRanks’s Future Predictions

VPNRanks has analyzed the future trends in cybercrime, predicting an increase in the frequency of incidents. These projections highlight the ongoing challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.

This prediction was calculated using an estimated growth rate based on historical trends, with the previous prediction for the total number of cybercrimes in 2025 as a reference.

Backing Up Our Cybercrime Predictions

1. Increasing Attack Automation: The rise in automated cyberattacks has significantly increased the rate of cybercrime statistics at which incidents occur, contributing to the predicted number of cybercrime victims per hour.
2. Proliferation of IoT Devices: The growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected globally creates more entry points for cybercriminals, leading to a higher frequency of attacks.
3. Cybercrime as a Service: The availability of cybercrime tools and services on the dark web makes it easier for even low-skilled attackers to launch frequent attacks, driving up the number of victims per hour.

The Financial Impact: Estimating the Cost of Cybercrime

The financial toll of cybercrime is staggering, with costs continually rising as attacks become more frequent and sophisticated. Estimating these costs helps us understand the broader economic impact of cyber threats on businesses and individuals alike.

 💰 By 2025, the global cost of cybercrime is expected to rise to $12.2 trillion, driven by the increasing scale and frequency of cyberattacks as digital reliance grows.

Data Findings

The data from Statista highlights the rapidly escalating global cost of cybercrime over recent years. This surge underscores the increasing financial burden that cyber threats impose worldwide.

This global cost data reveals a sharp upward trend, indicating that cybercrime is becoming increasingly expensive for economies across the globe. The consistent rise each year suggests that cybercriminals are not only becoming more active but also more effective in causing significant financial damage. Understanding these costs is crucial for developing better defense strategies.

VPNRanks’s Future Predictions

VPNRanks has projected the future costs of cybercrime, indicating a substantial increase in financial losses as cyber threats continue to escalate. These predictions emphasize the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

These predictions were calculated using a linear regression model based on historical data and growth trends.

The Factors Supporting The Cybercrime Cost Estimates

1. Historical Cost Growth: The steady increase in cybercrime costs over the past years demonstrates a clear upward trend, making the projected figures for 2024 and 2025 plausible.
2. Rising Sophistication of Cyberattacks: As cybercriminals employ more advanced techniques, the financial impact of each attack grows, contributing to the escalating global costs.
3. Expansion of the Digital Economy: With more businesses and individuals operating online, the potential targets for cybercrime increase, leading to higher overall financial losses globally.

Leading Regions for Cybercrime: A Global Overview

Certain regions around the world are more frequently targeted by cybercriminals due to their advanced digital infrastructures and economic significance. Understanding these hotspots is crucial for prioritizing cybersecurity efforts globally.

🌍 VPNRanks predicts that by 2025, the UK and the USA may be the two most affected regions for cybercrime, with expected 6,696 and 1,300 victims per million internet users, respectively, driven by increasing digital threats.

Data Findings

Data from AAG reveals significant insights into the regions most affected by cybercrime. These findings highlight the disproportionate impact on certain countries, underscoring the need for targeted cybersecurity measures.

• The UK had the highest number of cybercrime victims per million internet users at 4,783 in 2022 – up 40% over 2020 figures.
• The country with the next highest number of victims per million internet users in 2022 was the USA, with 1,494, a 13% decrease from 2020.
• The UK and USA have disproportionately more victims of cybercrime per million internet users compared to other countries – the USA had 759% more victims in 2021 than the next-highest country, Canada.

VPNRanks’s Future Predictions

VPNRanks has projected the future landscape of cybercrime, identifying which countries are likely to face the most significant challenges. These predictions underscore the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity measures in these regions.

These predictions were made using trend analysis based on historical data from 2020 to 2022, applying growth and decrease rates to estimate future figures.

The Data-Driven Basis for The Cybercrime Forecasts

1. Historical Trends: The UK’s consistent increase in cybercrime victims over recent years suggests a continuing upward trajectory, making the 2025 projection highly plausible.
2. Digital Vulnerability: The UK’s extensive digital infrastructure and high internet penetration rate create more opportunities for cybercriminals, justifying the predicted increase in victims.
3. Cybersecurity Challenges: The USA’s slight decrease reflects its ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity, but challenges remain, especially with emerging threats, validating the projected numbers for 2025.

Age Groups Most Affected by Cybercrime: An Analysis

Different age groups experience cybercrime in varying ways, with some demographics more vulnerable than others. Understanding these trends helps in tailoring cybersecurity strategies to protect the most at-risk populations.

⚠️ VPNRanks predicts that by 2025, the 30 to 39 age group may face the most cybercrime, with 115,767 affected, driven by their high digital activity and financial engagement.

Data Findings

Data from the Surfshark report highlights significant shifts in the age groups most affected by cybercrime. These findings underscore the evolving landscape of cyber threats across different demographics.

• The 30 to 39 age group became the most affected by cybercrime for the first time since 2015, with a nearly 7% year-over-year increase, growing from 88.4k victims in 2021 to 94.5k in 2022. The FBI noted a rise in crypto-investment scams, heavily impacting this age group.
• Prior to 2022, seniors (over 60) were the most vulnerable, reporting the highest number of victims between 2016 (55k) and 2021 (92.4k). However, 2022 saw a 4% decrease, bringing the total to 88.3k, placing them second.
• The under 20 age group historically showed the most resilience, with the fewest victims since 2015 (10.4k). However, this group experienced the second-highest yearly increase, nearly 6%, from 14.9k in 2021 to 15.8k in 2022.

VPNRanks’s Future Predictions

VPNRanks has analyzed future trends to predict which age group will be most affected by cybercrime in 2025. These projections highlight the growing threat landscape for specific demographics.

This prediction was calculated using a compound growth formula based on historical data and yearly growth rates.

Why This Age Group Faces the Greatest Risk

1. Rising Digital Engagement: The 30 to 39 age group is increasingly engaged in online activities, making them more vulnerable to cyber threats, especially with the rise in crypto-investment scams.
2. Targeted Attacks: Cybercriminals are focusing on this age group due to their higher financial activity and digital presence, which increases their likelihood of being targeted.
3. Growth in Online Transactions: As this demographic continues to adopt digital services and platforms, their exposure to cybercrime risks grows, justifying the predicted increase in victims.

The Rise of Supply Chain Attacks: A New Cybercriminal Tactic

Supply chain attacks have become a growing concern in the cybersecurity landscape, as cybercriminals increasingly exploit vulnerabilities in third-party vendors and suppliers. These attacks can have a cascading effect, compromising entire networks through a single weak link. As businesses become more interconnected, the risk of supply chain attacks continues to rise.

Cybercriminals are targeting these vulnerabilities, with up to 40% of cyber threats now occurring indirectly through the supply chain. This shift in tactics highlights the need for robust security measures not just within an organization, but across all its external partners. Protecting the supply chain has become crucial to safeguarding the broader digital ecosystem.

Source: AAG

Raising Awareness of Cybercrime: The Need for Vigilance

Awareness of cybercrime is becoming increasingly vital as the digital landscape evolves. Organizations and individuals alike are recognizing the need to stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities. This heightened awareness is essential in building a proactive defense against ever-evolving cyber threats.

Awareness of third-party risk is increasing, with organizations understanding the potential dangers posed by their supply chains. According to AAG,

By 2025, it is estimated that<strong> 60% of organizations</strong> will use cybersecurity risk as a key factor when determining transactions and business engagements with third parties.

This shift reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity in maintaining trust and safeguarding business operations.

High-Profile Cybercrime Cases: Lessons from the Most Notable Attacks

In this section, I have discussed two notable cases of cybercrime that highlight the severe impact such attacks can have on major organizations.

The JBS Ransomware Attack

The Initial Breach
On May 30th, 2021, JBS, the world’s largest meat processing company, fell victim to a ransomware attack. The breach disrupted operations across the USA, Canada, and Australia, forcing all JBS-owned beef processing plants in the USA to cease operations temporarily.

Impact on the Supply Chain
The attack had widespread consequences, including the US Department of Agriculture being temporarily unable to provide wholesale prices for beef and pork. This incident highlighted the significant vulnerabilities within the meat processing supply chain.

Ransom Payment and Aftermath
To prevent further disruption and the potential leak of sensitive data, JBS paid an $11 million ransom to the cybercriminals on June 9th. Despite investing over $200 million annually in IT and employing more than 850 IT professionals, JBS could not prevent this attack, illustrating the persistent threats even well-protected companies face.

The 2021 Robinhood Hack

The Data Breach
On November 3rd, 2021, Robinhood, a popular USA-based stock trading app, suffered a significant data breach. Cybercriminals used social engineering tactics to obtain employee login details, allowing them to access the network and steal data from 7 million users.

Extent of the Compromise
The breach compromised the email addresses of 5 million users and exposed the full names of 2 million more. Additionally, 310 users had more sensitive personal information, such as dates of birth and US zip codes, stolen by the attackers.

Response to the Attack
The hackers demanded a ransom to prevent the leaking of the stolen data. However, Robinhood refused to pay and instead hired a cybersecurity firm to investigate the breach, opting to address the situation through professional security measures rather than giving in to the attackers’ demands.

Source: AAG

Evolving Cybercrime Threats: Redditors Weigh In

Redditors in the thread discuss various perspectives on the evolving landscape of cybercrime. A major concern is the rise of sophisticated social engineering attacks, particularly fueled by AI advancements, which are expected to make phishing more convincing.

There is also significant anxiety about the future impact of quantum computing on current encryption methods, potentially rendering them obsolete.

Additionally, the growing reliance on cloud services and SaaS platforms is highlighted as a key vulnerability, with shadow IT and weak inventory controls posing increasing risks.

Source: Reddit Threat

Expert Perspectives on the Evolving Cybercrime Landscape

In this section, I have included expert opinions to provide deeper insights into the evolving threats of cybercrime. These perspectives shed light on the future challenges we may face in the cybersecurity landscape.

1. Tazin Khan

Tazin Khan emphasizes the profound impact cybercrimes have on mental health, highlighting how victims often suffer in silence.

She points out that the psychological aftermath can be long-lasting, with anxiety, stress, and trauma affecting individuals long after the cyberattack itself. This underscores the need for greater support systems for those impacted by cybercrime.

2. Andy Jenkinson

Andy Jenkinson argues that cybercrime is more than just a technological threat; it’s a manifestation of deeper issues like corruption and the lack of accountability in global systems.

He highlights how the narrative often shifts blame to external factors like nation-states, while ignoring the systemic vulnerabilities and profit-driven motives of organizations.

Jenkinson calls for greater transparency and accountability, asserting that the illusion of security must be shattered to address the root causes of cybercrime effectively.

3. Michael Ferrara

Michael Ferrara emphasizes the staggering financial impact of cybercrime, highlighting the need for proactive measures to curb these costs. He suggests that organizations must invest in stronger cybersecurity frameworks and regular audits to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Ferrara also advocates for increased collaboration between public and private sectors to create more resilient defenses against the growing tide of cyber threats.

4. Mark Grainger

Mark Grainger highlights the increasing sophistication of phishing and smishing attacks, stressing their effectiveness in deceiving even well-informed individuals. He points out that these cyber threats exploit human vulnerabilities and are becoming more tailored and convincing.

Grainger advocates for robust security measures, including comprehensive education and awareness programs, to help individuals and organizations recognize and prevent these types of attacks.

The Analytical Approach Behind VPNRanks’ Predictions

VPNRanks’ cybercrime forecasts are based on a rigorous methodology that combines data analysis with industry insights. This approach ensures accurate predictions and valuable insights into future cyber threats.

Explore More In-Depth Statistics and Reports by VPNRanks

• Cybersecurity Statistics and Trends– Explore the latest insights on emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and defense strategies in cybersecurity.
• Cyber Attacks Statistics– Analyze the growing frequency, methods, and impact of cyber attacks on individuals and businesses.
• Data Privacy Statistics– Understand how personal and corporate data is being protected, exploited, and compromised in the digital age.
• Social Engineering Attacks Statistics– Examine how cybercriminals manipulate human psychology to steal sensitive information and bypass security measures.

FAQs

Conclusion

As we look to the future, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly clear. The ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime poses significant challenges, with threats becoming more sophisticated and widespread. By 2025, the number of global cybercrime victims may rise to approximately 8.5 billion, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protective strategies.

The rate at which cybercrimes occur is also expected to accelerate, potentially affecting victims at a staggering rate of 116 per hour by 2025. This rapid increase underscores the critical need for organizations and individuals to stay vigilant and proactive.

Cybercrime statistics for 2025 serve as a stark reminder that cybersecurity must remain a top priority in our digital world. As cyber threats continue to grow, the focus must be on developing and implementing stronger defenses to protect against these ever-present dangers.