The independent survey of nearly 300 U.S. smart phone users shows that 66 percent are concerned about the risk of their personal and business information being stolen from their devices. Twenty-one percent also admit that they have lost or misplaced their smart phones.
Many of the respondents said they use a password or PIN to protect their devices, however, 55 percent said they believe the current security options are too complicated, confusing or time consuming to use, while many were not even aware of what security options are available to them.
A majority of the smart phone users also said they would strongly consider using more convenient forms of security - such as fingerprint biometrics - if it was available to them. Seventy six percent of the respondents said they would be interested in biometric security, and 58 percent said they would be willing to pay between $10 and $50 for the extra protection that biometrics provides.
Biometric fingerprint sensors already are used to provide convenient security in nearly 5 million cell phones in Asia, with recent studies indicating that U.S. residents are anxious for the same capabilities. The sensors are used to protect the device and its stored information -- such as e-mails, files, photos, text messages and contact lists -- from theft or fraud, as well as provide secure authentication to enable mobile commerce. In Japan, for example, the biometric phones are used to purchase items from stores and vending machines without cash or credit cards, access trains and subways without tickets, and conduct wireless banking, among other activities.
"Security concerns continue to plague today's wireless operators, businesses and smart phone users," said Andy Germano, Director of Wireless Marketing for AuthenTec. "The 2006 smart phone survey confirms what many users and CIO's have been complaining about -- that although some form of security is required to protect confidential information, passwords and PINs are too cumbersome, especially on small keypad devices and do not deliver an effective security policy."
