Mobile Phone Users Open Themselves up to Possible Identity Theft

Mobile Phone Users Open Themselves up to Possible Identity Theft

Although some people password protect their phones, not enough is being done to stop possible data breaches

As more mobile phone owners begin to sign up for data plans allowing them to connect to the internet, they're also possibly opening themselves up for future security problems, analysts believe.

The Credant survey also revealed 24 percent of those surveyed store their PIN numbers and passwords; 16 percent have their bank information stored; and 11 percent keep their Social Security numbers and tax-related information saved; with 10 percent permanently storing their credit card information.

A recent survey conducted by security firm Credant indicates six in 10 people use passwords to stop unwanted entry into mobile phones, although security leaks are still possible. Virtually everyone -- 99 percent of people -- uses their phones for work-related business, with as many as 26 percent of them being warned by their employer to stop the practice.

Even with so many people using passwords, up to 80 percent of mobile phone owners are at possible risk for identity theft.

"If you are ever going to store sensitive information on your mobile phone you must ensure it's protected by a good password - or even better a pass-phrase," Sophos Senior Technology Consultant Graham Cluley told the BBC. "It shouldn't be a simple word like password or a dictionary word, or something easy to guess if someone knows you. If there's the option, you should encrypt the data on your phone as well. If nothing else you don't want someone who steals your phone making phone calls."

Security experts are growing increasingly concerned about how skilled thieves can learn confidential information of a company through unprotected smartphones. Both companies and individual users have to be more vigilant and ready to deal with safety issues to avoid major security risks, especially as more people begin to use their smartphones for work-related activities.

Analysts said it's up to the user to deal with safety issues, and warns it'd be improper and possibly intrusive if phone manufacturers or service providers are requested to add another layer of security. DailyTech.