Brits naive about mobile phone security

Over four million people in the UK keep highly sensitive identity data stored unsecured on their mobile handset, according to research by Credant Technologies.

One in six (16%) of those surveyed were found to store bank account details on their mobile phones, whilst almost a quarter (24%) keep passwords and pin codes on their handsets.

One in ten use their phone to store credit card details, and a similar number (11%) store their social security and inland revenue information.

In total, 80% of mobile phone users keep data on their handsets that could be used to steal their identity if their phone got into the wrong hands.

Meanwhile, four in ten of those polled said they have no password protection on their mobile device.

Sensitive business data could also be found on many handsets, with 99% of those surveyed using their mobile for work despite 26% being instructed not to do so.

Three quarters (77%) keep business names and addresses on their phone, three in ten use their handset as a business diary, whilst a third (35%) use their phone to send and receive business emails.

Paul Huntingdon, public sector director at Credant, said: “Once you have access to someone’s emails, passwords, birthdays, business diary, documents, children’s names and pets you can easily masquerade as that person.

“People are ignorant to how easy a professional thief could take over their life and effectively destroy it.”

Credant polled 600 commuters in London railway stations for the research.

According to Home Office statistics, 90% of handsets reported stolen are blocked within 24 hours.

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