- Most smartphone users rely on built-in security without additional protection
- Adoption of paid antivirus on mobile devices continues to decline steadily
- A significant proportion of users remain unprotected or unaware of safeguards
Most Americans now use their smartphones more than their computers, but very few spend money to protect those phones from hackers, new research claims.
TO cyber news The report surveyed more than 1,000 American adults and found that only 18% of mobile phone users pay for third-party antivirus software.
Built-in tools like Microsoft Defender and Apple’s XProtect have become the default choice for most people, while McAfee and Norton lead the paid market for the second year in a row.
Most consumers believe that the security features already built into their phones are sufficient for everyday use and see little reason to spend extra money on something they think they already own for free.
About 14% of mobile users say they do not have any cybersecurity tools installed on their devices. Another 16% can’t even name what protections they currently have.
On desktops, the situation is very different, with far fewer unprotected machines and much broader adoption of third-party security tools.
Windows Defender and Apple’s native security features now serve as the primary defense for 53% of computer users and 51% of mobile users.
Most people choose these free options because they trust that the operating system vendor will provide adequate basic protection.
Adoption of paid antivirus on computers has actually grown 2% since last year, reaching 41% of users.
However, on mobile devices, the use of third-party antivirus has decreased by approximately 10% during the same period, from 28% to just 18%.
Mobile Device Users Face Increasing Risks
Ransomware attacks targeting smartphones are even less common than those targeting computers, but the threat landscape is changing rapidly.
Users who rely solely on the free security tools that come with their phones may be underestimating what modern cybercriminals can do.
Paid subscriptions have gained ground over free alternatives, but most mobile device owners still avoid spending money on dedicated protection.
Exposure to cybercrime influences some users to change their habits, but personal experience is not the main driver of adoption for most people.
Many users employ a layered approach to security, combining antivirus with VPNs and password managers.
However, data shows that a large segment of mobile device users remain unprotected or unsure about the safeguards they have in place.
Established brands like McAfee and Norton continue to benefit from user trust, while lesser-known products struggle to gain acceptance even when their features are comparable.
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