Security firm finds that Japanese respondents worried about mobile-specific threats; problem growing more serious.
Research from McAfee Security finds that consumers are determined to safeguard against viruses, spam and ID theft on mobile devices.
Research results reported today by McAfee Security, a division of Network Associates, a provider of intrusion prevention solutions, has revealed a growing level of concern about the security of increasingly sophisticated wireless technology. The research, carried out in Japan, which is known for its early adoption of new mobile technologies, reveals increased concerns about the security of emerging wireless technologies.
The growing functionality of mobile devices, such as smartphones and PDAs, has made them increasingly vulnerable to security breaches including viruses, spam and hacker attacks. A rise in consumer awareness of these kinds of attacks means respondents are seeing increasing value in more robust security on their mobile devices.
Some specific research findings include that 88% of consumers questioned were concerned about mobile security, with 44% of respondents having considerable or major concerns, while 52% of respondents said they would consider changing mobile service providers in order to gain additional security features. 78% of those questioned would like to see parental control features for their children's mobile phones
When looking for tools to aid mobile security, 82% of consumers would like the ability to block unwanted calls and 67% of the sample wanted to filter unwanted data from reaching their mobile phones. Security concerns ranged from identity theft (78% of respondents saw this as an issue) to spy-ware (59%), receiving unwanted email messages such as pornography (88%) and paying for unwanted spam and text messages (87%). The research also highlights potential for increased ARPU possibilities via carrier provision of either additional protection services or a more comprehensive baseline security offering.
A complimentary research project executed by Mercer Management Consulting found that without security protection mobile and wireless security breaches could cost over $2 billion per attack in 2005, that potential worm outbreaks on mobile devices in 2005 could infect 30% of the population, and that worms spreading via mobile devices are projected to take just 3 days to reach maximum penetration within 2 years.
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