UPDATED 11:10 EDT / APRIL 18 2013

iPhone Users Prefer Convenience Over Security : Here’s Three Ways to Get Smart on Safety

How many of the following actions do you perform on your smartphone: access the internet via WiFi, 3G or 4G; check bank balances and pay bills; shop or make in-app purchases?  Now, are you aware of mobile internet’s security risks?  Probably, but more importantly, do you care?

The smartphone has become an invaluable convenience in today’s hyperactive culture, but at what price?

Mobile’s fast-food mentality

According to 2013 Consumer Mobile Insights study released by Jumio, Inc., poll conducted by Harris Interactive, almost half of the respondents, 48 percent, check their bank status using their mobile device; 34 percent do retail shopping, and 25 percent make in-app purchases using their mobile devices. Alarmingly, though the vast majority or 83 percent of respondents worry about identity theft, will still use their mobile devices for the above activities, choosing convenience over safety.

“Two in every three Americans use smartphones or tablets, according to our research, and are increasingly using them to conduct important daily activities — from online banking to paying bills on-the-go. This adoption continues to grow in the face of increasing mobile fraud, and related concerns have clearly not kept smartphone users from participating,” said Daniel Mattes, founder and CEO of Jumio.

“Users may be willing to accept risk now in favor of convenience, but this tolerance will weaken as fraud continues to grow. The industry needs to get on board to protect our customers as much as the customers themselves need to take greater precautions.”

Generation Y, or people belonging to the age group of 18-34 year olds, are less concerned about mobile security and identity theft, though 32 percent of the respondents have already been a victim to such scams.  Women are less likely to fall victim, with only 5 percent reporting of being hit with mobile scams.  Men are more likely to use their mobile devices to do important things on their mobile device, 64 percent, compared to women at only 55 percent.  Of the total respondents, 74 percent want to have a more secure way of logging in to their accounts aside from inputting usernames and passwords.

3 Tips for mobile security

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Keep your mobile OS updated

Software is often updated to fix bug and security flaws.  By keeping your mobile OS up to date, it lessens mobile security risks.  Some may argue that though they want to update their devices, the update is not available f rom their carrier, which is a problem for Android users in particular.  But the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a complaint against the big four: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile USA, for not making software updates readily available for their subscribers, leaving them vulnerable to attack and identify theft.

Use discretion when downloading apps

Though it’s so much fun to download free apps, be wary of the apps you download, especially if the developer/publisher seems shady.  Check for app ratings and user comments, as this will give you an idea if the app is actually working like its supposed to.

Pay attention to data accessed by apps

Certain apps require you to share some of your information: it’s usually location data, but some even access your contacts or other private information.  Do not brush off notifications that asks your permission to access personal information.  When in doubt, just click on “do not allow.”


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