An independent study commissioned by Airwide Solutions, which provides next-generation mobile messaging infrastructure and applications, has revealed the extent of the problem of mobile security risks across the EU.
The study, which was conducted by comScore M:Metrics on behalf of Airwide Solutions, looked at the way mobile subscribers use their phones across five European markets – the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. Although the study highlights some worrying trends, Airwide says the findings represent a major opportunity for mobile operators to play a proactive and strategic role in protecting their subscribers, both through education, and through the security solutions they deploy across their networks.
The study revealed a surge in mobile spam. Despite some mobile operators leading the way in deploying anti-spam solutions, the study found that there is still some way to go, with the number of people in the EU receiving unwanted text messages growing 21.3% year-on-year. With some spam messages containing mobile worms and viruses, this statistic is a cause for concern, especially in France where the problem is growing by 61.3% year-on-year.
The study also exposed the use of gambling and adult services by under-18 year olds. The problem is worst in Spain, where 4% of 13 to 17 year olds accessed adult or gambling services between June 2007 and June 2008. The UK recorded the lowest problem, with only 1.3% of minors accessing inappropriate mobile Internet sites. The study notes, however, that the figures may mask a more serious situation, with many teenagers embarrassed or frightened to admit the truth.
With many people now owning Smartphones, mobile phones are also being used to safeguard sensitive company information and personal data, such as social security numbers, PIN codes, passwords, company financial data and other proprietary information. Many people are also now using their phones to carry out financial transactions. According to the study, 5.6 million people in the EU access financial information from their mobile phones – a 23.6% increase over last year. Italy has been the fastest to embrace mobile banking services, with a 30.2% increase in use from June 2007 to June 2008. 
Another key finding from the study is the extent to which mobile phones have become a vital part of the way we live. Mobiles are now more omnipresent than PCs, inherently more portable than other communications devices and carry far more personal and valuable data than ever before.
On average, a mobile phone in the EU is worth 476 (405), with the average mobile subscriber spending 401 a year on their mobile phone bill, 69 acquiring their handset and 6.07 on mobile content such as ringtones, wallpaper, games and music. Spain registered the highest spending on mobile phone bills at 544 per year. Italy recorded the highest spending on the handsets themselves, with an Italian mobile phone user paying on average 148 for a mobile phone, while the UK leads the way on the amount spent on mobile content per year at 6.89.
The survey also found that while we are using our phones to take more photos and record more videos, we are at risk of losing these precious personal memories, with 50% of those surveyed admitting that they do not back up their data.
Airwide has a particular interest in mobile security. Its mobile security portfolio is designed to help mobile operators to tackle problems of mobile security. Airwides mobile security solutions have been deployed in over 70 operators worldwide, serving more than 110 million subscribers.
Airwides solutions provide operators with the ability to instantly disable lost or stolen phones on the network; lock and wipe data from stolen phones; view the inventory of mobile phones on the network so that they can take better preventive measures against theft and fraud; and protect mobile users from inappropriate content (including everything from preventing users from receiving spam and unsolicited messages, to stopping children browsing inappropriate mobile web sites such as gambling or adult content). 
Mobile security is a threat that is continuously growing, says Airwide CMO, Jay Seaton. Pretending it is not an issue does not address the problem. With significant increases in the use of mobiles phones both for personal and corporate use, mobile subscribers, parents and corporate organisations will need guarantees that their phones and data are secured. Whether to protect vulnerable users such as children with mobiles for family contact or to support corporates in fulfilling their duty-of-care to employees, operators are increasingly accepting a service responsibility to subscribers. This is an opportunity for fast-moving operators to be at the forefront of addressing and ultimately containing this problem.