Ensuring security in the digital sphere is paramount, and cybersecurity plays a key role in protecting online spaces. From safeguarding personal data to preventing cyber threats, robust cybersecurity measures serve as the front line of defense against potential risks. In our interconnected world, promoting a secure cyber environment is not just a necessity but also a shared responsibility for individuals, companies, and organizations.
Considering this, Scholaroo’s data team sought to analyze cybersecurity in all 50 states, considering the rates of online crimes committed in the last year to determine the safest and, of course, the least safe.
This report unveils interesting insights into online security across the country, serving as a guide to identifying regions where individuals excel in reading and learning. To get started, simply interact with the map provided below!
Rankings of the Safest States in Cyber Security
Overall Ranking
To see the ranking of states in various metrics, scroll to the right. To explore other states, scroll down. Or you can type the name of your state into the search box below.
Methodology
To determine the safest states in terms of cybersecurity in America, Scholaroo compared the 50 states on 21 metrics related to online crime, which are listed below with their corresponding weight. Each metric was graded on a 100 point scale, with a score of 100 being the max.
Finally, we determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.
Advance Fee Scams: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes related to scams that ask investors to pay a fee in advance - before receiving any product, money, shares, or bonuses - for the deal to go through.
BEC: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes in which the scammer uses email to trick someone into sending money or divulging confidential company information.
Catfishing: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes related to the adoption of a false online identity in order to gain the affection and trust of the victim and then manipulate and/or steal from them.
Credit Card/Check Fraud: Double Weight (9.52 points)
The rate of crimes related to the unauthorized acquisition of someone else's credit card information, with the intent of making purchases or withdrawing funds from the account.
Crimes Against Children: Half Weight (2.38 points)
The rate of crimes targeting minors, such as online grooming, solicitation of explicit material, and coercion into explicit conduct, pose a serious threat.
Data Breach: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes involving unauthorized access to or manipulation of confidential data.
Employment: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of online crimes where criminals deceive victims into divulging personal information, acting as unwitting money mules, or sending money under the pretext of a job opportunity.
Extortion: Double Weight (9.52 points)
The rate of online crimes involving threats, force, or harm to obtain money, property, or valuables.
Government Impersonation: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes in which scammers pretend to be contacting government agencies, to try to steal information and money.
Harassment/Stalking: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of cybercrime related to threatening messages, online harassment through fake profiles, and attempts to hack into accounts.
Identity Theft: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of cybercrimes involving unauthorized use of someone's personal information, like name, ID, or credit card, for fraud or other illegal activities.
Investment: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes related to investment or business fraud schemes that try to lure the victim with the promise of low or no risk investments
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance: Half Weight (2.38 points)
The rate of cybercrime involving deceptive letters or emails falsely claiming the recipient has won a lottery or inherited a significant sum due to a distant relative's demise.
Non-payment/Non-Delivery: Half Weight (2.38 points)
The rate of cybercrime that involves a buyer paying for goods or services they find online, but these items are never received, or sending goods or services, but the seller is never paid.
Personal Data Breach: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes involving unauthorized access to or manipulation of personal data.
Phishing: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes involving schemes designed to induce the victim to provide confidential information - such as their password or bank PIN - to scammers.
Real Estate: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes involving the publication of fake house sale/rental advertisements in an attempt to collect advance deposits from unsuspecting consumers.
SIM Swap: Half Weight (2.38 points)
The rate of crimes involving deceiving a mobile service provider to transfer the victim's service to a controlled SIM card, essentially hijacking the victim's phone number.
Spoofing: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes involving the manipulation of email addresses, display names, phone numbers, text messages, or website URLs to deceive the target into believing they are engaging with a familiar and trusted source.
Threats of Violence: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of crimes in which scammers claim to know the victim's location and threaten to harm them or their loved ones unless a payment is made.
Cryptocurrency: Regular Weight (4.76 points)
The rate of fraudulent activities where scammers impersonate either new or established companies, offering deceptive cryptocurrencies or tokens.