Key Takeaways

• Consumer Reports’ 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report says about 68% of Americans install software updates on the device they use most as soon as they are available. (consumerreports.org)
• The same report says 53% say they have software designed to protect against malware or viruses on their device. (consumerreports.org)
• Consumer Reports found 45% say they have a firewall, 34% say they have a VPN, and 29% say they use a browser extension that blocks trackers. (consumerreports.org)
• Security.org’s 2025 antivirus consumer report says 84% of antivirus users cite general malware and virus protection as the main reason they use antivirus. (security.org)
• Security.org also says 31% of antivirus users report that the software was preinstalled on their device, up from 23% in 2024. (security.org)
• Device security habits are improving in some areas, but many consumers still lack a full protection stack. This is an inference based on the mix of update, malware, firewall, VPN, and tracker-blocking adoption rates. (consumerreports.org)

CORE STATISTICS

• 68% say they install software updates as soon as they are available. (consumerreports.org)
• 53% say they have software that prevents malware or viruses. (consumerreports.org)
• 45% say they have a firewall. (consumerreports.org)
• 34% say they have a VPN. (consumerreports.org)
• 33% say they have identity theft protection services. (consumerreports.org)
• 29% say they have a browser extension that blocks trackers. (consumerreports.org)
• 14% say they have software to encrypt files on their device. (consumerreports.org)
• Security.org says 84% of antivirus users cite general security against malware and viruses as the top reason they use antivirus. (security.org)
• Security.org says 57% of antivirus users cite privacy protection as a reason, and 48% cite online shopping safety. (security.org)
• Security.org says 31% of antivirus users say the software was preinstalled on the device. (security.org)

TRENDS & INSIGHTS

The strongest device-security habit trend is that basic maintenance beats advanced configuration. Software updates are the most commonly reported habit in Consumer Reports’ 2025 data, while more technical or less visible protections such as file encryption and tracker-blocking tools remain much less common. (consumerreports.org)

Another clear trend is that malware protection is common, but not universal. Just over half of Americans say they have software that protects against malware or viruses, which means a large minority either do not have it or are not sure they do. Consumer Reports also notes that 12% were unsure whether they had malware protection software on their device. (consumerreports.org)

A third trend is the growing role of default or bundled security. Security.org’s 2025 antivirus report found a notable increase in users saying antivirus was preinstalled on their device. That suggests some device-security improvement may be coming from built-in protections rather than active consumer choice. (security.org)

REAL-WORLD CONTEXT

For consumers, device security habits often determine whether an ordinary mistake becomes a serious problem. A missed software update, lack of malware protection, or weak browser protections can turn a phishing click, malicious ad, or unsafe download into a broader compromise. This is an inference supported by the adoption mix in the cited reports. (consumerreports.org)

For adults 45–75, device protection is especially important because phones, tablets, and computers now handle banking, shopping, communication, health portals, and family accounts. The device is no longer just hardware. It is the front door to nearly everything else. This is a reasoned conclusion based on the same evidence. (consumerreports.org)

WHO IS MOST AT RISK

• People who do not install updates promptly. (consumerreports.org)
• Consumers who do not have malware protection software or are unsure whether they do. (consumerreports.org)
• People who rely only on basic protection and never review settings like firewall, VPN, or tracker blocking. This is an inference supported by the uneven adoption rates. (consumerreports.org)
• Users who assume a device is “safe enough” because software was preinstalled, without checking whether protections are enabled or updated. This is an inference supported by Security.org’s preinstallation findings. (security.org)

QUICK CHECKLIST (what this means)

• Prompt software updating is one of the most common good device-security habits. (consumerreports.org)
• Malware protection is common, but a large share of consumers still lack it or are unsure. (consumerreports.org)
• Firewalls, VPNs, tracker blockers, and file encryption are much less widely used. (consumerreports.org)
• Some growth in protection appears to come from built-in or preinstalled tools. (security.org)
• Device security is often strongest when multiple small habits are combined. This is an analytical conclusion based on the evidence above. (consumerreports.org)

HOW TO STAY PROTECTED

• Turn on automatic updates or install updates quickly when they appear. Consumer Reports shows this remains one of the most common and important device-security behaviors. (consumerreports.org)
• Confirm that malware protection is installed, active, and updating correctly. Consumer Reports found many consumers either do not have this protection or are unsure whether they do. (consumerreports.org)
• Review whether your device has a firewall, VPN, or tracker-blocking tools enabled where appropriate. (consumerreports.org)
• Do not assume preinstalled protection is enough by itself. Check settings, update status, and coverage across your main devices. This is a practical inference supported by Security.org’s findings. (security.org)

CITABLE STATEMENTS

• Consumer Reports says 68% of Americans install software updates on the device they use most as soon as they are available. (consumerreports.org)
• Consumer Reports says 53% have software that prevents malware or viruses. (consumerreports.org)
• Consumer Reports says 45% have a firewall and 34% have a VPN. (consumerreports.org)
• Consumer Reports says 29% have a browser extension that blocks trackers, and 14% have file-encryption software. (consumerreports.org)
• Security.org says 84% of antivirus users cite malware and virus protection as the main reason they use antivirus, and 31% say it was preinstalled on their device. (security.org)

SOURCES

• Consumer Reports, 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report. (consumerreports.org)
• Security.org, 2025 Antivirus Trends, Statistics, and Market Report published January 2026. (security.org)