Concerned smartphone users
Many users are concerned about the security of their personal data on their smartphones - as shown by G DATA's IT Security Barometer. Only four out of ten users believe that their contacts, pictures and other information on the mobile device are safe from third-party access.
Despite this uncertainty, nearly 42 percent of respondents* use a banking app on their smart phone and enter sensitive data for their financial transactions.
The other results of the IT Security Barometer by G DATA are:
Skepticism regarding data security: Only 43 percent of survey participants believe their personal information on their mobile device is safe. Almost six out of ten users take a critical view of this or are unsure of their assessment. Yet a lot of private data is stored on smartphones these days. This includes phone numbers, addresses, pictures, notes and personal messages. The host-pocket-sized PCs are therefore an interesting target for cybercriminals. The stolen information is coveted in special underground forums, can be easily resold and used for criminal purposes.
Majority do not do mobile banking: Paradoxically, almost 42 percent of respondents use apps for online banking via smartphone, even though so many are critical about the security of their personal data. Yet even with these apps, much sensitive information is entered to make transfers or other financial transactions. In most cases - almost 28 percent of respondents - the application of their own house bank is used for mobile banking.
Emails are also read via smartphone: Alongside messenger apps, reading e-mails has become an established means of communication for German mobile users. The IT Security Barometer shows that seven out of ten users read their e-mails on their smartphones.
*For G DATA's IT Security Barometer, 1000 Internet users from Germany were surveyed in February 2018. The representative short survey was conducted by OmniQuest GmbH and comprised three questions.
