States with the highest digital privacy risk shared a common trait: strong broadband access paired with comparatively low digital literacy and threat detection skills. The results come from a recent study from IP address provider Floxy, which analyzed digital literacy, cybercrime reports, and online safety searches to determine where people were least protected.

The study created digital literacy scores for each state based on four factors: literacy scores measuring residents’ skills at identifying scams and unsafe behavior, internet crime complaints per capita, financial losses per capita, and search volume for digital safety terms. Higher combined scores indicated greater vulnerability.

Nevada ranked as the most digitally vulnerable state. It recorded the highest rate of internet crime reports nationwide, with roughly 407 complaints per 100,000 residents. Victims there lost more than $9 million in the unspecified reporting period.

At 255, Nevada’s digital literacy score fell below the national average. The study suggested low digital literacy scores — i.e., fewer digital skills — mean users are less equipped to recognize phishing attempts and fraudulent websites.

California placed second, driven by the largest financial toll from online fraud at more than $9.3 million. The state logged about 296 complaints per 100,000 residents and a literacy score of 257, near the national average. Californians searched for digital protection terms 5,760 times each month — more than any other state in the top five — which the report described as a sign of active interest in online safety even as incidents remained high.

Arizona, Texas, and Florida rounded out the five most vulnerable states. Arizona reported roughly 379 complaints per 100,000 residents and losses approaching $8.3 million. With the smallest figure among the leading states, Texas recorded about 309 complaints per 100,000 residents and $5.8 million in losses, paired with a below-average literacy score of 254. Florida posted about 306 complaints per 100,000 people and $6.8 million in losses, scoring consistently across each measure.

The highest-risk states with the fewest digital skills had extensive broadband coverage, with Nevada reporting access in 93.9% of households and California reaching 94.2%.