A new study from mobile security provider AdaptiveMobile showed that smartphone users say mobile security is a priority. However, recent market trends and practices seem to suggest otherwise.
According to Adaptive Mobile’s study, which surveyed some 2,000 smartphone users in the United States, 68 percent of respondents indicated that data security was an important function for a mobile carrier to offer. Comparatively, 52 percent of respondents said they are looking for service quality and reliability.
The study suggested that consumers see mobile security as the wireless carrier’s responsibility, with 54 percent of respondents saying breach of personal data is the quickest way to erode trust between carrier and subscriber.
To a degree, the carrier is responsible for ensuring it provides a secure network, but much of the onus will fall on the subscriber – whether a consumer or business – as well.
But, the report noted, mobile security practices are still lacking. The study found that 30 percent of respondents are likely to open a text message from an unknown sender, and 40 percent will save sensitive information on their mobile devices.
Furthermore, according to the study, only 23 percent of those surveyed said they use any sort of mobile security software.
This may be a ominous sign of things to come, as AdaptiveMobile’s study showed that more than half of smartphone users have experienced some sort of mobile threat in the past 12 months. These threats include everything from SMS text phishing and mobile spam to more serious malware and viruses.
These mobile threats were reflected in Trend Micro’s own Threat Roundup report for the second quarter of 2011, which found mobile malware is on the rise. During the second quarter, several strains of malware specifically targeting Google’s Android posed threats to mobile users.
As smartphones and other devices become more integral elements of enterprise mobility, updates to data security practices and policies are a must. To avoid data loss, fines and consumer backlash, a business must ensure data accessed and stored on these devices is as safe as possible from cyber threats, such as malware and hacks. Stressing best practices to employees is a necessary step, but businesses should also ensure their mobile devices are equipped with the security measures needed to keep data out of the wrong hands.
Security News from SimplySecurity.com by Trend Micro
