Tag: mcommerce security

While safety and privacy concerns are still high among smartphone users, they continue to take unnecessary chances.

Smartphones are being used for a growing number of tasks every day, from placing phone calls and sending and receiving texts, to communicating thorough email, making product purchases, banking, and a broad range of other activities that require a high level of mobile security.

Many of these device users are very conscious of risks, and yet their behaviors increase their chances of data theft.

The amount of sensitive data that is being stored on smartphones is incredible. It not only includes login information for email and social network accounts, but it also involves proof of insurance cards, credit and debit card numbers, identification numbers, and an entire directory of contact information for virtually everyone we know. But at the same time, many of us fail to make the right mobile security choices to ensure that this information stays out of the hands of others.

Mobile security efforts are not nearly as strong among consumers as the steps taken on PCs.

Many consumers are unaware of the fact that their devices could be hacked or become infected with a virus. Moreover, few have taken the steps required to stop this data from being used by someone who has stolen the device.

ABC News recently reported that there are ten foolish behaviors that many people either do or fail to do in the use of their mobile devices. They included the following:

• A lack of password protection for their phone in general and for individual apps and accounts.
• Failing to purge old smartphone data before disposing of the device.
• Making purchases through a smartphone browser instead of through a commerce application.
• Failing to log out of banking and payments apps.
• Connecting automatically to any WiFi connection that is available.
• Leaving the Bluetooth connection open while not in use.
• Storing highly sensitive data on smartphones, such as Social Security numbers, PINs, and bank or credit card account information, which require far more mobile security than the device is capable of providing.

MEF releases results of annual mobile commerce survey

The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF), a global trade association focused on the mobile media industry, has seen a marked rise in the realm of mobile commerce over the last few years. The trade group has released the results of a new survey that documents this growth and how consumers seem to be responding to the advent of mobile commerce services. The survey was conducted with the aid of On Device Research and spans 10 different countries, all of which boast of promising mobile markets.

Survey shows most mobile consumers engaged in some form of mobile commerce

According to the survey, nearly 88% of the world’s mobile media users are engaged in mobile commerce. The survey defines mobile commerce as “anyone using a mobile phone for research, purchase, or banking.” This definition is widely held as the standard in terms of mobile commerce, as this concept rarely refers to only mobile payments. The survey shows that research is the most popular form of mobile commerce, with 80% of all consumers using their mobile devices to find out more information on products and services.

Mobile commerce sees most growth in emerging markets

The survey shows that 55% of consumers around the world have made purchases using their mobile devices. The most growth in this facet of mobile commerce comes from emerging markets, such as Qatar, India, and South Africa. Mature markets, such as the United Kingdom and the U.S. remain somewhat static in terms of mobile purchases from consumers. The majority of mobile commerce is still reserved to the digital realm through e-commerce sites and online retailers, rather than physical purchases in stores.

Entertainment and convenience major reasons for mobile commerce engagement

According to MEF, entrainment and convenience are the primary reasons consumers around the world are interested in mobile commerce. Trust is also a significant factor, but many consumers continue to express concerns regarding the security of mobile payments. The companies involved in mobile commerce have been working to address these concerns, but consumers largely remain leery of having their financial information put at risk.