Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has raised the alarm over a surge in cyberattacks linked to the rising trend of polyworking among Gen Z, with over 6.1 million attacks detected between the second half of 2024 (2H24) and 1H25.
According to Kaspersky, polyworking is the practice of juggling multiple jobs, freelance gigs and side hustles, and it has become increasingly common among Gen Z (born 1997-2012).
The firm highlighted that the growing number of digital tools and platforms they use is exposing both individuals and organisations to a wider attack surface.
“Among the top impersonated tools were Zoom (3.85 million attack attempts), Microsoft Excel (835,000) and Outlook (731,000), as cybercriminals exploit fake software updates and phishing emails to compromise user accounts. Popular job platforms like LinkedIn were also targeted, with more than 650,000 phishing attempts recorded over the same period.
“With multiple jobs, platforms and devices in play, the Gen Z workforce faces unprecedented levels of digital fatigue, making them more vulnerable to phishing, malware and credential theft,” Kaspersky Security Expert Evgeny Kuskov said.
He shared that the report highlighted key risk factors including poor password hygiene, device overlap between personal and professional tasks, and the use of unverified productivity apps — also known as “shadow IT”. These behaviours heighten the chances of accidental breaches, data leaks and identity theft.
To raise awareness, Kaspersky advises users to separate work and personal environments, enable multi-factor authentication and install reliable security software to safeguard their data across all platforms.
