With NFC gathering momentum, the use of modern mobile phones to simplify and add convenience to tasks such as banking and shopping is here to stay. So says mobile security firm, BullGuard. With the majority of mobile users still slow to consider security for a handheld, however, the company adds that many could be leaving their financial details vulnerable to third party attack.
A recent survey conducted by BullGuard showed that 24 per cent of internet users banked online from their mobile device, and many also admitted to storing sensitive data such as bank details, credit card numbers, URLs, logins and passwords and saved PINs as reminders. All of this could potentially be exploited by third parties either by a malware infection or if the phone were lost or stolen and fell into the wrong hands.
“It appears as though modern mobile users are quick to appreciate the convenience and easy access to services offered from handhelds but slow to recognise the potential threat to smartphones in a time when mobile malware on some platforms has risen by up to 400 per cent in the last six months,” says BullGuard’s Claus Villumsen. “It is concerning that mobile users are storing such sensitive data, but even more concerning is that our survey revealed many consumers seem apathetic about the potential dangers of mobile use at present, ignoring even the most basic security measures.”
The BullGuard survey revealed that 62 per cent opted against using a basic PIN or password to protect a phone from being instantly accessed by others, despite this being a simple yet effective way to deter many thieves or novice hackers. When it comes to more sophisticated protective measures, 53 per cent were unaware that dedicated mobile security is available, while 21 per cent believed it isn’t necessary, and 42 per cent had not considered using it.
BullGuard says its clear form the survey results that more needs to be done to educate mobile phone users on the risks and potential dangers of storing personal and sensitive data and leaving phones unprotected. 27 per cent of those polled have had their mobile phone lost or stolen in the past, and 55 per cent of respondents were still unaware that a phone can contract a virus. 
Security software is the best preventative measure against third party security threats, argues BullGuard, particularly when considering the prevalence of spyware, which is almost impossible to spot without dedicated software. According to a survey by BullGuard industry partner Juniper Networks, spyware accounted for 61 per cent of all infections in 2010.
“What consumers need to be made aware of is that many mobile threats go undetected,” says Villumsen. “Some attacks are specifically designed to mine data from a phone without the user’s knowledge, which could be disastrous if this were to include sensitive information such as financial data or secure documents.”
When it comes to emerging technologies with more direct application such as NFC, consumers are rightly demonstrating more caution, which could be a sign that the security dangers posed by mobile devices will soon be taken more seriously. When quizzed about the new payment standard, 59 per cent were concerned that sensitive data could be intercepted, 64 per cent were concerned about the security of this data in the event of loss or theft, and 54 per cent were worried about third parties accessing their bank or credit card details.
The BullGuard survey of 2,000 Brits who are online was carried out by research firm OnePoll between 28 April and 9 May, 2011.
