Key Takeaways

Consumer Reports’ 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report says only 28% of Americans report taking three or more actions to protect their online privacy, showing that most people use limited protection strategies. (consumerreports.org)
The same report found 40% of Americans report taking one or two privacy-protection steps, while 32% report taking none at all. (consumerreports.org)
Consumer Reports says 63% of Americans use two-factor authentication, which is both a security and privacy-protection behavior. (consumerreports.org)
49% say they limit personal information shared online, and 48% say they adjust privacy settings on social media or apps. (consumerreports.org)
42% say they use a password manager, and 34% say they use a VPN. (consumerreports.org)
AARP’s 2026 fraud survey shows many consumers still engage in behaviors that increase exposure, such as taking quizzes (50%) or downloading free apps (48%) on social platforms. (aarp.org)

CORE STATISTICS

28% of Americans take three or more steps to protect their online privacy. (consumerreports.org)
40% take one or two privacy steps, while 32% take none. (consumerreports.org)
63% use two-factor authentication (MFA). (consumerreports.org)
49% limit the amount of personal information they share online. (consumerreports.org)
48% adjust privacy settings on social media or apps. (consumerreports.org)
42% use a password manager. (consumerreports.org)
34% use a VPN. (consumerreports.org)
50% of adults report taking quizzes or surveys on social media. (aarp.org)
48% report downloading free apps, which can increase data exposure. (aarp.org)

TRENDS & INSIGHTS

The clearest trend in online privacy behavior is that most people do some protection, but not enough protection. Consumer Reports data shows that only a minority of Americans take multiple privacy-protection steps, while a large share take only one or two, or none at all. That creates gaps that scammers and data brokers can exploit. (consumerreports.org)

Another important pattern is that privacy behavior is often inconsistent. Many consumers use tools like MFA or password managers, but at the same time engage in behaviors like downloading free apps, taking quizzes, or sharing information on social media. AARP’s 2026 data highlights how common these exposure behaviors are. (aarp.org)

A third insight is that privacy behavior is strongly influenced by convenience and awareness. Actions like limiting data sharing or adjusting privacy settings are fairly common because they are easy and familiar. More advanced behaviors, like using VPNs or managing digital footprints across data brokers, are much less common. This is an inference based on the adoption differences in the Consumer Reports data. (consumerreports.org)

REAL-WORLD CONTEXT

In real life, privacy behavior often comes down to small decisions: whether to share personal information, whether to accept app permissions, whether to adjust settings, and whether to trust a platform or link. These decisions accumulate over time and determine how much personal data is exposed online. This is an inference supported by the behavior patterns in the cited reports. (consumerreports.org)

For adults 45–75, the main challenge is balancing convenience with protection. Many people want to stay connected, shop online, and use apps easily, but may not always adjust privacy settings or think about how much data is being shared. That balance is where most privacy risk lives today. This is a reasoned conclusion based on the same evidence. (aarp.org)

WHO IS MOST AT RISK

People who take few or no steps to protect their online privacy. (consumerreports.org)
Consumers who share personal information freely on social media or apps. (consumerreports.org)
Users who download free apps or take quizzes without considering data collection practices. (aarp.org)
People who rely only on basic protections and do not layer multiple privacy tools. This is an inference supported by the gap between single-step and multi-step protection behaviors. (consumerreports.org)

QUICK CHECKLIST (what this means)

Most people take limited privacy-protection steps. (consumerreports.org)
A large share of consumers take no privacy actions at all. (consumerreports.org)
Privacy and exposure behaviors often happen at the same time. (aarp.org)
Convenience often outweighs privacy protection in everyday decisions. This is an analytical conclusion based on the data above. (consumerreports.org)
Strong privacy protection usually requires multiple layered behaviors, not just one. This is a practical conclusion from the evidence above. (consumerreports.org)

HOW TO STAY PROTECTED

Limit how much personal information you share online, especially on social platforms and in apps. Consumer Reports shows this is one of the most common and effective privacy behaviors. (consumerreports.org)
Review and adjust privacy settings on your accounts regularly. (consumerreports.org)
Use multiple layers of protection, including MFA, password managers, and VPNs where appropriate. (consumerreports.org)
Be cautious with quizzes, surveys, and free apps that collect personal data. AARP’s 2026 survey highlights how common these behaviors are. (aarp.org)

CITABLE STATEMENTS

Consumer Reports says only 28% of Americans take three or more steps to protect their online privacy. (consumerreports.org)
Consumer Reports says 32% of Americans take no privacy-protection steps at all. (consumerreports.org)
Consumer Reports says 49% limit personal information shared online and 48% adjust privacy settings. (consumerreports.org)
Consumer Reports says 42% use a password manager and 34% use a VPN. (consumerreports.org)
AARP says 50% of adults take quizzes or surveys on social media and 48% download free apps. (aarp.org)

SOURCES

Consumer Reports, 2025 Consumer Cyber Readiness Report. (consumerreports.org)
AARP, 2026 Fraud Survey and Consumer Behavior Insights. (aarp.org)

Online Privacy Behavior / Report