The leader in intrusion prevention and security risk management, McAfee has recently announced findings from Mobile Security Report 2008, which polled more than 2,000 consumers from Japan, UK and US.

According to the McAfee Mobile Security Report 2008:

  • 86% of users are worried about security risks posed to their mobile handset such as fraudulent bill increases or information loss or theft
  • Over a third (34%) of global mobile users question the general safety of mobile devices and services
  • At least 79% of consumers are knowingly using unprotected devices, with an additional 15% unsure of security levels
  • More than half of subscribers (59%) expect mobile operators to take primary responsibility for protecting mobile devices and services

“Concerns about specific mobile security risks or the loss of credibility in the reliability of services is a crucial issue for operators, particularly in mature markets. Yet, this research clearly highlights that consumer fears are growing in tandem with increased mobile functionality, jeopardizing the success of new revenue-generating services and increased operator ARPU,” said Patrick Hayati, Regional Director McAfee Middle East. “Retaining consumer confidence will prove critical in ensuring life value and listening to the end user is becoming ever more important in creating innovative and intuitive services which subscribers will want, and trust, to use and are prepared to pay for.”