Mobile security fears rise

Nine out of ten consumers are concerned about the security of their mobile device, according to a new report.

Consumers are concerned that the increasing sophistication of smart phones and PDAs has made them more vulnerable to security breaches including viruses, spam and hack attacks.

The report from security Network Associates found that 88 per cent of consumers are concerned about mobile security, with 44 per cent having considerable or major concerns.

More than half (52 per cent) of respondents said they would consider changing mobile service providers in order to gain additional security features and 78 per cent said they would like to see parental control features for their children’s mobile phones.

The research, carried out in Japan, also found that 82 per cent of consumers would like the ability to block unwanted calls and two-thirds wanted to filter unwanted data from reaching their mobile phones.

Arvind Narain, senior vice president for wireless security at Network Associates, said: “Users need to treat their mobile devices in the same way they treat their PC, to remain suspicious of unknown SMS or email messages sent to their handsets and to only download content from a trusted source.”

Separate research from Mercer Management Consulting found that potential worm outbreaks on mobile devices in 2005 could infect 30 per cent of the population.