Identity Theft a Low Concern Among Cellphone Owners
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CREDIT: GFI Vipre |
Like a game of hot potato, smartphone users are confused over who is responsible for the data on their phones.
In a recent survey of 1,000 adults conducted by Opinion Matters for security software firm GFI, one in three respondents believed that either their wireless carrier or their phone manufacturer was responsible for securing personal data.
(Apple takes responsibility for security on iPhones, but that's not true of Android phones, where the end user is ultimately responsible.)
Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said that their personal data was easily replaceable or did not pose a security risk to them. Identity theft ranked a distant fourth among the concerns respondents would have if their phone were to be lost or stolen.
The primary concern was the hassle and cost of buying a new phone; second came replacing contact lists, and third was losing important photos.
GFI has released an upgraded version of its VIPRE mobile security app for Android phones, now available in the Google Play online store. Along with anti-virus protection and automatic data backup, the premium version adds tracking of other family members' phone activity and emergency control in case a phone is lost or stolen.
GFI said its new software lets users log into its website and launch security features such as viewing a device's most recent location, locking the device and wiping all personal data.
Aside from covering this common type of phone emergency, the VIPRE app also allows for remote monitoring of an Android phone via the VIPRE website, a feature that seemed to intrigue respondents.
Parents (or any authorized user) can see incoming and outgoing phone numbers, sent and received text messages and browsed websites.
Android users can try the premium features at no cost for 30 days. At the end of the trial period, users can purchase the premium version for a $1 monthly fee or a $10 annual subscription.
This story was provided by TechNewsDaily, a sister site to SecurityNewsDaily.
