- Most smartphone users rely on built-in security without additional protection
- Adoption of paid antivirus on mobile devices continues to decline steadily
- A significant portion of users are still unprotected or unaware of protective measures
Most Americans now use their smartphones more than their computers, but very few spend money to protect their phones from hackers, a new study finds.
A Cybernews 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 dominate the paid market for the second year in a row.
Most consumers believe that the security features already built into their phone are sufficient for everyday use and see no reason to spend extra money on something they already think they have for free.
About 14% of mobile users say they have no cybersecurity tools installed on their devices. 16% can’t even name the protections they currently have.
On desktop, the situation is very different, with far fewer unprotected machines and much wider adoption of third-party security tools.
Windows Defender and Apple’s native security features are now the primary defense for 53% of computer users and 51% of mobile users.
Most people choose these free options because they trust the operating system vendor to provide adequate basic protection.
Adoption of paid antivirus on computers has actually increased by 2% since last year, reaching 41% of users.
On mobile devices, however, third-party antivirus usage dropped about 10% during the same period, from 28% to just 18%.
Mobile users face growing risks
Ransomware attacks targeting smartphones are even less common than those targeting computers, but the threat landscape is evolving rapidly.
Users who rely solely on the free security tools that come with their phones may underestimate what modern cybercriminals can do.
Paid subscriptions have gained ground over free alternatives, but the majority of mobile owners still avoid spending money on dedicated protection.
Exposure to cybercrime prompts some users to change their habits, but personal experience is not the primary driver of adoption for most people.
Many users use a layered security approach, combining antivirus with VPNs and password managers.
However, data shows that a large segment of mobile users are still unprotected or unsure of the guarantees they have.
Established brands like McAfee and Norton continue to enjoy user trust, while lesser-known products struggle to gain acceptance even when their features are comparable.
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