Just under half of the UK population now owns a smartphone, according to Kantar Worldpanel ComTech’s latest statistics. As mobile devices proliferate and carry more personal information, they become a more attractive target for malware, fraud, hackers and identity theft. In 2011 mobile threats have accelerated – in the last four months alone mobile malware instances have more than doubled to nearly 1000, with some of this malware originating in Russia or China, but affecting millions of people worldwide.
In a new UK survey commissioned by Lookout, nearly half of all respondents (46 per cent) indicated that their smartphone is their most important possession – more important than their car or laptop computer. The most precious information carried on mobile phones is friends and family contact numbers (35 per cent) and photos (32 per cent). Not surprisingly, people are most concerned about losing their phone, losing their contacts, or having their phone hacked. Forty per cent of UK consumers admitted their phones had been compromised, which has cost them money (21 per cent), compromised employer information (6 per cent) or even their bank account (3.5 per cent).
While UK respondents express concern over the safety of their mobile device and the data on it, very few actually take appropriate steps to protect it. More than 85 per cent of UK consumers do not have a way to track down their lost or stolen mobile device, and 74 per cent do not regularly back up their contacts and personal information.
“Mobile threats are instantly transmitted across global networks, regardless of borders. Over the course of 2011, Lookout saw a significant increase in the prevalence and sophistication of threats,” says Lookout CEO and co-founder, John Hering. “Lookout tracks threats worldwide and rapidly updates all Lookout-enabled mobile devices automatically to block them. We provide a simple way for people to protect their most personal device, not only from malware, but also against data loss and device loss.”
Lookout offers free essential security for Android smartphones and tablets, in addition to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Lookout includes security, basic data backup and find-my-phone capabilities, as well as cross-platform, remote management for multiple devices. Lookout Premium for Android provides additional protections, including Safe Browsing to protect users from unsafe links and websites, Privacy Advisor that clarifies the personal information accessed by each mobile app, and remote lock-and-wipe capabilities for £1.99 a month or £19.99 a year. Lookout is powered by Lookout’s Mobile Threat Network, which analyses threat data worldwide, identifying and blocking new threats and automatically delivering the best protection possible.