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Less than a third of South Africans use their devices’ anti-theft features

Mobile devices are getting more expensive by the year, just take a look at the new Galaxy Note 9 which costs R18 999. locally As such ensuring your device stays out of the wrong hands should be of prime importance, but a recent report from Kaspersky Lab shows that might not to be the case.

According to the cybersecurity specialist, only 30 percent of South Africans make use of the anti-theft features on their smartphones and tablets.

Factor in the devices that are not reported, as well as ones from other operating systems like iOS and that amount likely increases significantly.

This figure is particularly odd, as Kaspersky Lab notes that an estimated 23 000 Android devices are reported stolen each month, which should in our minds mean a greater number of consumers would be doing more to safeguard their devices from theft.

Looking at their study for the local landscape, Kaspersky found that 14 percent of South Africans have either lost or had a device of stolen, although we think that figure is far higher.

Added to this 59 percent of the stolen/lost devices sported Android, with 9 percent featuring iOS and 20 percent of them being notebooks.

These electronics are not only used for work, but as Kaspersky Lab points out are used for taking and storing lots of pictures.

Out of all the data and information stored on a smartphone, it is pictures that are viewed as the most important by users, adds the cybersecurity firm.

15 percent of respondents in their latest survey noted that pictures and video were the most important assets on their smartphone, with a further 38 percent adding that if their device were stolen, they would have no means of retrieving the content stored on it.

With planning of holidays likely underway for many, and that time of the year peak season for photo taking and theft/losses alike, Kaspersky Lab advises South Africans to make use of the native anti-theft software on their mobile devices, or look at downloading some.

“These figures indicate the scale at which devices are going missing – especially as the 23,000 figure only tells us about Android devices with the Kaspersky Lab Anti-Theft feature switched on. At this time of year, it’s important to consider how to safeguard devices from danger,” adds Dmitry Aleshin, VP for product marketing at Kaspersky Lab.

Regarding their own offering, Kaspersky Lab’s Anti-Theft feature in Kaspersky Internet Security for Android prevents a user’s data from being accessed should their device be lost or stolen.

It does this by, for example, allowing a user to lock and locate a device remotely if it’s lost, turn on their device’s alarm even if the sound is switched to silent mode, and more.

“With Anti-Theft protection being so simple to use and so easily available, our advice to all users is to consider protecting their devices and to have a safe and secure summer,” concludes Aleshin.

 

[Image – CC0 Pixabay]

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