Your smartphone really isn’t as secure as you think it is
McAfee study finds improved trust, but lack of security protection
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
More and more people are trusting theirsmartphonesand other mobile devices to be a secure way to access the internet and store vital data, despite often failing to ensure such devices are protected, new research has said.
A report from McAfee has found that although smartphones are increasingly replacing PCs orlaptopsas a preferred device, especially among younger users, there is often a lack of proper security protection in place.
It added that younger users were often unaware that security protections were needed for mobile devices, even when it came to basic tools such as using apassword.
We’re looking at how our readers use VPNs with different devices so we can improve our content and offer better advice. This survey shouldn’t take more than 60 seconds of your time. Thank you for taking part.
Click here to start the survey in a new window«
Smartphone security
Surveying both children (including teenagers)and parents, McAfee found a stark difference in the level of awareness when it came to mobile device protection, as most children (59%) said they thought a new phone was more secure than a new computer, whereas parents were slightly more doubtful (49%).
Worryingly, only 41% of children used a password to protect their mobile device, compared to 56% of parents. This had led to many users facing security threats, with one in 10 parents reporting their children had experienced a financial information leak, and 15% of children saying they’d experienced an attempt to steal their online account.
Ransomware attacks are levelling up extortion tactics>Ransomware attackers are targeting inside help>Vodafone is making it easier to repair, refurbish and recycle your mobile phone
McAfee highlighted a number of potentially harmful threats targeting users of all ages, including mobile smishing attacks that use SMS messages to spread phishing lures, and malicious code and malware lurking inside gaming cheat apps and codes.
“Meaningful protection is a personal right for consumers, whether they are connected families or individuals,” said McAfee Executive Vice President, Chief Product and Revenue Officer, Gagan Singh.
Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
“The common thread linking these two research offerings are that consumers value protection of their data, privacy, and identity. As our use of mobile devices rapidly increases, we must remember that a mobile device is a connected device, just like a computer. McAfee’s world-class Labs Research team works tirelessly to identify and protect consumers from new and emerging threats that impact all ages and connected devices, across the globe.”
Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK’s leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he’s not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.
TP-Link Archer BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 Router review
Ulefone Armor Pad 3 Pro rugged tablet review
Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time
