Can your mobile device be a pathway to identity theft?
Mobile devices have been one of the most disruptive technological trends in Australia during the last few years. Smartphones and other similar devices have become a significant part of daily life. According to Deloitte's 2015 mobile consumer survey, Australians check their phones around 30 times a day on average and 42 per cent will reach for them 15 minutes after waking up.1
We use these devices in a myriad of ways, from shopping online to playing games and socialising. However, with all these benefits comes a serious concern regarding the safety of personal information.
Mobile security often subject to complacency
A recent survey from Kaspersky Lab exposed the lack of protection individuals deploy in their mobile devices.2 Only 36 per cent of respondents had put in place adequate measures to defend in their devices from cybercriminals. Astoundingly, 13 per cent had taken no action at all to address security measures.
While it is easy to put these concerns out of one's mind, there are serious consequences to not establishing the appropriate security. Around a third (36 per cent) of those surveyed stated they had encountered an identity theft risk, and 25 per cent of these cases were through smartphones.
Establishing security measures and precautions is not only important for your computer, but also applicable to all internet-enabled devices. Any time you access a shared network, you should caution not to reveal personal information to untrustworthy parties.
Study shows the danger of smart watches
A lack of preventative security measures on a smartphone is not the only risk to your personal information. While still an emerging consumer product, smartwatches are becoming a cause for security concern.
Researchers from the University of Illinois were able to use data from a smartwatch to guess what an individual was typing into the computer.3 They used a program that was able to track the sensor data in the smartwatch, thus creating the opportunity to steal personal data.
"Sensor data from wearable devices will clearly be a double-edged sword," said Romit Roy Choudhury, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
"While the device's contact to the human body will offer invaluable insights into human health and context, it will also make way for deeper violation into human privacy."
Smart watch users should carefully consider the implications of constantly wearing a device which will track your movements. Investing in security measures should be a priority in adopting this new technology.
To help protect your identity across a range of devices, the team at Identity Watch can help. Identity Watch monitors illegal forums where stolen personal information is traded. If your details are found, we will alert you and provide you with actions to help mitigate the situation.
1Mobile Consumer Survey 2015, Deloitte. Accessed November 2015
2Consumer Security Risks Survey 2015, Kaspersky. Accessed October 2015
3Watch Out: If you've got a smart watch, hackers could get your data, CSL, University of Illinois. Published September 2015