How many Apps does the average app user have installed on theirsmartphone? - 36*

*GSMA Intelligence, Google/Ipsos Survey, Symantec Internet Security Threat Report

Believe it or not the average smartphone user has 36 apps installed on their smartphones. That’s a lot of open doors to your privacy which many of us are not protecting and this gives cybercriminals cause to celebrate. They choose easy targets to gather information such as passwords, bank account numbers or other personally identifying information with which to use or sell.

Imagine getting a call from the bank to inform you your credit card details had been stolen. The stress and inconvenience of dealing with such an occurrence is something that none of us want to think of, so why not be proactive and take steps to ensure all of your personal information stays yours?

Did you know that your credit card details are worth as much as £13 on the black market?*

Internet Security Threat Report, Volume 20,” Symantec (April 2015).

The threats we face every day from online sources has grown over time. There’s apps, social networks, Wi-Fi, email, SMS messaging – the points at which crafty criminals can access your data gets bigger as time goes by but rather than wait for the moment you learn of a data breach in your mobile world, isn’t now the time to be proactive and secure that new technology investment.

Despite our love affair with and reliance on our tablets and smartphones, we are reckless when it comes to protecting them. According to the 2014 Symantec ISTR, 52 per cent of us store sensitive information online, yet only half of us take basic precautions like using passwords, installing security software or backing up our mobile devices.

Have you ever heard about Smishing?

SmiShing is a variation on an old favorite - email phishing. It uses text messaging (SMS) and other mobile messaging technologies to deliver all kinds of scam campaigns. Smishing is particularly scary because you’re more inclined to trust a text message than an email. Most people are aware of the security risks involved with clicking on links in emails. This is less true when it comes to text messages.

Mobiles are central to your ever-connected lives on the go, so it’s important to recognize security risks and take action to prevent them. Threats to mobile users will only increase as we put more and more data on our devices that cybercriminals aim to exploit. Rather than being blasé about keeping our new phones and tablets safe, blend work and play mobile activity, and get click-happy on email and social media, you can make it harder for them by taking some simple and easy steps.

Are you a parent? Discover how you can become a tech savy parent and learn more about how to keep your kids safe when using social media