Disinformation and Hacking Remain Top Global Security Concerns for Second Consecutive Year

Disinformation and cyberhacking continue to dominate global security concerns, according to the latest HFX-Ipsos Threat Index. The comprehensive survey, which polled more than 23,000 people across 30 countries, reveals that 77% of respondents globally consider deliberate disinformation campaigns and cyberhacking as real threats—marking no change from last year’s findings.

The research, conducted on Ipsos’ Global Advisor platform between September 19 and October 3, 2025, shows that while American concerns about disinformation eased slightly to 82% (down six percentage points following the U.S. presidential election), worries in Canada remained relatively steady at 79% (up two points after their own federal election earlier this year).

Thailand currently registers the highest level of concern about disinformation at 87%, while India shows the sharpest decline, with only 57% expressing concern—a 16-point drop after their 2024 general elections.

Cyberhacking has consistently ranked among top security threats in the decade-long survey history, except in 2020 when pandemic fears dominated, and in 2022 when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine elevated nuclear attack concerns. The threat of cyberattacks against public, private, or personal information systems continues to worry most respondents, though Indian concern dropped significantly by 15 points to 58%.

Nuclear, biological, or chemical attacks rank third among global threats at 72%, unchanged from previous findings. This concern spiked by nine points following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and remains elevated compared to pre-conflict levels, though it has eased slightly to 69% across the 20 countries consistently surveyed throughout the decade. Notably, the polling concluded before recent provocative statements about nuclear capabilities from both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The threat of a major health epidemic continues to register at 60% globally, significantly lower than the 79% recorded during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic but still above the 51% pre-pandemic baseline. The World Health Organization declared an end to the COVID-19 global public health emergency in May 2023, but the psychological impact clearly persists.

Other prominent concerns include natural disasters (67%), terrorist attacks (66%), personal safety threats (62%), artificial intelligence breaking free from human control (62%), ethnic conflicts (61%), and armed conflicts with other countries (52%).

A striking finding reveals widespread skepticism about government capabilities to address these threats. While 77% view cyberhacking as a real threat, only 47% express confidence in their government’s ability to respond effectively—a 30-point confidence gap. Similar disparities exist regarding nuclear attacks (29-point gap) and disinformation (28-point gap).

The survey also captures a growing sense of global pessimism. A stable 79% of respondents believe the world became more dangerous over the past year, though this represents a seven-point improvement from the 86% peak recorded in 2022. The Netherlands shows the highest perception of increasing danger at 88%, while India registers the lowest at 67%.

Meanwhile, only 33% of respondents believe the world is improving—a 14-point decline since this question was first asked in 2017 and a new historical low. Japanese respondents express the most pessimism, with just 16% seeing global improvement, while Indians remain the most optimistic at 65%. In North America, only 32% of Americans and 23% of Canadians believe more things are getting better than worse globally.

The comprehensive study encompasses diverse sample groups across thirty countries, with weighted data to reflect each nation’s demographic profile. While samples in developed countries generally represent their broader populations, results from developing nations tend to reflect views from more urban, educated, and affluent segments.