11/03/2015
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While many online threats are hidden in accepted permissions when downloading a mobile app, smartphone users often give up their privacy and personal information in exchange for entertainment such as games and social networking. Symantec's Norton Mobile survey points out that 74% of Brazilians provide different types of information, such as their geolocation, contacts, photos, passwords, device data package, which can be used by cyber criminals in search of financial gain . Even legitimate applications can have security holes, which are taken advantage of by criminals.
The study also found that Brazilians are concerned about digital scams and traps in the mobile world. Of the total number of respondents, 63% are concerned about viruses or malware, while in Brazil this number grows to 89%. Despite this, the vast majority of users are unaware of what information they are giving to application developers, compromise their own privacy and put themselves at risk.
This scenario comes about because many of the users who are most concerned about mobile privacy are the least likely to take precautions to protect themselves – all in exchange for free app downloads.
In addition, the survey also includes that:
• 81% of respondents do not know which apps can modify their mobile bookmarks;
• 75% does not know that they allow access to the smartphone's camera and microphone;
• 38% is willing to allow apps to use more battery power to get a free app;
• 45% knows they are giving away their device's location to developers;
• 1 in five consumers allows an app to control how much of its data packet it uses.
"Many of today's mobile threats are located in apps for smartphones and tablets. Globally, there are more than 3 million malicious apps and 8 million that can expose data privacy", reveals Beto Santos, Director of Consumer Affairs at Symantec. , you need to know that when it comes to apps, the word 'free' rarely comes without a cost. Personal data becomes the bargaining chip and as most users are unaware of the advantages and disadvantages of online privacy, they end up expose their information”, complements the executive.
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