- Most smartphone users rely on built-in security without additional protection
- Paid antivirus usage on mobile devices continues to decline steadily
- A significant proportion of users remain unprotected or unaware of security measures
Most Americans now use their smartphones more than their computers, but very few are spending money to protect those phones from hackers, new research has claimed.
ONE Cyber news report surveyed over 1,000 US adults and found that only 18% of cell 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, 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 no reason to spend extra money on something they think they already own for free.
About 14% of mobile users say they have no cybersecurity tools installed on their devices at all. Another 16% cannot even name what protections they currently have in place.
On desktop computers, the situation looks very different, with far fewer unprotected machines and much wider use of third-party security tools.
Windows Defender and Apple’s built-in security features now serve as the primary defense for 53% of desktop users and 51% of mobile users.
Most people choose these free options because they trust the operating system vendor to provide adequate baseline protection.
The use of paid antivirus on computers has actually grown by 2% since last year, reaching 41% of users.
However, on mobile devices, the use of third-party antivirus has fallen by about 10% over the same period, falling from 28% to just 18%.
Mobile users face growing risks
Ransomware attacks targeting smartphones are still less common than those targeting computers, but the threat landscape is changing rapidly.
Users who rely solely on the free security tools that came with their phones may underestimate what modern cybercriminals can do.
Paid subscriptions have gained traction over free alternatives, yet the majority of mobile owners 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 take a layered security approach, combining antivirus with VPNs and password managers.
However, the data shows that a large segment of mobile users remain either unprotected or unsure of what security measures 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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