Smartphone security concerns increase among users: Study

By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 27 October 2010, 09:25 IST
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Smartphone security concerns increase among users: Study
Bangalore: What is your top priority while buying a smartphone, its features or the level of security? According to a global consumer study released by Juniper Networks, four out of five people cite level of security as a top priority when buying or using smartphones and tablet computers. The study, commissioned by Juniper and conducted by KRC Research and Synovate, has also showed that most of the people are anxious about losing their mobile devices, protecting their identities and protecting their families with parental controls. The research was conducted by phone and online during October 2010 with more than 6,000 smartphone and tablet users across 16 countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, China, India, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. Of the 16 countries surveyed, India (90 percent) showed the highest level of user concern for mobile security issues, followed by Brazil and Russia (88 percent each). Respondents in the U.S. were among the least concerned - only 43 percent for phone/data loss, 43 percent for parental controls and 46 percent for identity theft. Belgium/Netherlands was less concerned on phone/data loss, with only 41 percent. Japan was less concerned on one threat, with 40 percent for parental controls. The report said that over 58 percent of smartphone and tablet users surveyed fear losing their devices and not being able to recover the data and information on their device. While 64 percent are very concerned about the possibility of identity theft resulting from the use of their mobile device, 53 percent of all respondents finding parental controls extremely important. There is a gap between the level of security that users want and the amount of security they will manage themselves, said the report. Only 24 percent of respondents frequently change the security settings on their mobile devices. 35 percent do so only when a need arises, 31 percent rarely or never change them and only 9 percent are unfamiliar with the security settings on their mobile devices. On the other hand, 14 percent of respondents say neither their smartphone nor their tablet is password protected. According to Ravi Chauhan, Managing Director, Juniper Networks India, since users are growing very aware of the security, identity and privacy issues, the industry needs to step up and make security an integrated part of the mobile experience. The research has also revealed that nearly three out of four people surveyed use their mobile devices to share or access sensitive personal or business information. It has showed shattered boundaries between the personal and business use of mobile devices and highlights the need for more stringent and better integrated mobile security. While 44 percent of respondents use their devices for both personal and business purposes, only 4 percent use them for business. On the other hand, a shocking 81 percent of the respondents admit using their devices to access their employer's network without permission.