Filipinos are among the most confident in Asia-Pacific when it comes to their online safety, but a new study by insurtech firm bolttech suggests that confidence is not matched by behavior, leaving many exposed to scams and cybercrime.
Bolttech’s “Asia-Pacific Cyber Safety Landscape 2026” found that 96% of respondents in the Philippines rated their online safety habits as “good” or “very good,” yet only 48% consistently practiced strong cyber hygiene.
That created a 48-point perception gap, wider than the 41-point regional average.
The study also found that Filipinos face higher exposure to online threats than the regional average.
About 93% said they had encountered a scam attempt, 57% said they had already been victims of cybercrime, and 58% said they expected someone in their household to fall victim within the next year.
Nearly 70% of Filipino respondents also said they reuse passwords across multiple accounts, a habit that increases the risk that one breach could compromise several platforms.
“What this shows is that the issue is no longer awareness — it’s behavior,” said Jemma Delacruz, general manager for the Philippines at bolttech.
“Consumers already know cyber risks exist, but protection today still depends too heavily on individuals making the right decisions every time. What’s needed now is a shift towards support that is embedded and seamless, so people are protected as they go about their everyday digital lives.”
Across the region, the report said Southeast Asian markets including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia reported higher exposure to cybercrime and scam activity than markets such as South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Australia.
The report, conducted with Singapore-based Blackbox Research, surveyed 3,850 consumers across 11 Asia-Pacific markets, including 350 respondents in each market.
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