Respondents who used a smartphone in the previous three months were asked about the security software that they use. Examples include anti-virus, anti-malware software, etc.
Nearly half (48%) of smartphone users said that the security software installed automatically or was provided with the operating system, while nearly one in five (19%) had installed it manually or had someone else do it for them. Over one quarter did not know if their smartphone had security software installed, while 17% said that they did not have any security software installed on their smartphone. See Table 10.1 and Figure 10.1.
| Male | Female | |
| Yes, installed automatically or provided with the operating system | 49 | 47 |
| Yes, installed it or subscribed to it or somebody else did it | 25 | 15 |
| No, does not use security software | 16 | 17 |
| Don't know if they use security software | 23 | 29 |
Smartphone users were asked if they restricted or refused access to their personal data when using or installing applications (apps) on their smartphone over the previous three months. When an application is installed on a smartphone, it is possible to manage the setting of the application in order to specify whether the respondent allows the application to have access to their personal data, such as geographical location, contact list, access to photos, etc. Nearly three quarters (73%) restricted or refused access at least once, while over one in five (22%) did not. Just 2% did not know it was possible, while 3% do not use apps. See Table 10.2.
| Male | |
| Yes, at least once | 69 |
| No | 26 |
| Did not know it was possible | 1 |
| Do not use applications | 4 |
| Female | |
| Yes, at least once | 76 |
| No | 19 |
| Did not know it was possible | 2 |
| Do not use applications | 3 |
Respondents were further asked if they ever lost data (including information, documents, pictures or other kind of data) on their smartphone, due to a virus or other hostile program. Just 4% of smartphone users had experienced such a loss of data, while 2% did not know and 95% had never experienced loss of data due to virus or other hostile program on their smartphone. See Table 10.3.
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