The New Plague: Mobile Theft

The New Plague: Mobile Theft

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Watch your mobile device closely: One out of six users reported losing their mobile device or having it stolen or damaged, with predictably severe results

15526142_m featureA large-scale, global risk assessment survey, carried out among users of smartphones, laptops and tablets, showed that in 2013 one out of six users reported losing their device: Through forgetfulness, carelessness, theft or damage.

The survey categorized the types of information users had on their lost devices:

  • Personal videos and images: 76% of smartphones, 65% of tablets
  • Personal e-mails: 64% of smartphones, 61% of tablets
  • Business documents: 20% of smartphones and 29% of tablets
  • Social media passwords: 22% of smartphones and 23% of tablets
  • Online bank accounts: 10% of smartphone and tablet users

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

The survey was conducted by B2B and Kaspersky Lab. According to the final report users store all kinds of information on their devices, with the total value of that information easily surpassing that of the device itself. Sensitive information can reach the wrong people, with disastrous consequences: Sensitive information lost, money stolen from bank accounts and social media accounts hacked.