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Technology Desk – Smartphones have become an integral part of people’s lives today. Beyond calling and messaging, mobile phones have become a primary medium for banking, shopping, office work, and personal information management.

But with the increasing use of smartphones, data privacy and cybersecurity risks are also increasing. If a phone is lost or hacked, not just the device itself, but the entire digital life associated with it can be at risk.

Smartphones are becoming digital vaults in India

Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky’s Asia-Pacific (APAC) survey report has revealed that smartphones in India are increasingly being used as digital vaults.

People are increasingly storing banking information, passwords, personal documents, photos, and even office data on their mobile phones. However, security measures haven’t improved as quickly as smartphone usage.

Banking and password information is saved on the phone.

Today, most people use smartphones for online banking, UPI, digital wallets, and online shopping. Therefore, many important banking information is also stored on their phones.

according to the report:

• About 38 percent of Indian users keep banking details on their phones.
• About 34 percent of people save passwords and login credentials on their mobile phones.
• This is why cyber criminals are now considering smartphones as an easy target for attack.

Risk of data theft through fake apps

According to cyber experts, cybercriminals are adopting new methods to trap people. Malware like Rewardsteal and Thamera can target users through apps offering fake cashbacks, rewards, and attractive offers. People often grant apps excessive permissions without checking them. These apps can then attempt to access users’ personal information.

Smartphones are the biggest source of internet in India

According to the report, approximately 60 percent of people in India rely heavily on smartphones for internet access. Previously, people stored important information in laptops, files, or diaries, but now, in the age of smartphones, most data resides on mobile phones. Phones store many things, including photos, documents, banking information, social media accounts, and personal conversations. This increases the risk of data leaks.

Office work is also being done through mobile.

Smartphones are no longer limited to personal use. A growing number of people are using their mobile phones for work as well. They use their phones to read work emails, open important files, and log into company systems.

according to the report:

Nearly 48 percent of Indian users have work email on their phones.
Nearly 27 percent access work networks from their mobile phones.

If such a phone gets hacked, then along with personal information, confidential data of the company can also be at risk.

Social media accounts are also increasing the risk

Smartphones not only store banking and office data, but also social media accounts, chat history, music, movies, e-books, and gaming accounts. This means that a single device contains a wealth of information to a user’s financial, social, personal, and professional lives. This is why smartphones have become a major target for cybercriminals.

Simple ways to keep your smartphone safe

To keep the smartphone safe, users should take some necessary precautions.

Always download apps from official app stores.
Don’t grant unnecessary permissions to any app.
Keep your banking information and passwords secure. Take
regular backups of your phone.
Keep your screen lock and biometric security features enabled.
Keep features like Find My Device active.
Use a mobile security app and update your phone frequently.

Today, smartphones are more than just a gadget. They have become a vital part of people’s digital identities, housing everything from banking information to personal data and work- files.