89 percent of consumers don't pay for mobile malware protection

A new survey reveals that a large majority of mobile users do not currently pay for malware protection. However, 61 percent say they do want, and are willing to pay for, protection services from their service provider.

The study from security solutions company Allot Communications shows that rather than independently seek out, evaluate and download security apps for each of their mobile devices, consumers would like a one-stop-shop for online protection for themselves and their families. This presents communication service providers (CSPs) with an opportunity to sell an extra service, which many of them are not taking advantage of.

"CSPs have a huge opportunity to be proactive and deliver relevant protection," says Yaniv Sulkes, AVP marketing at Allot Communications. "Our survey has revealed consumers are demanding simplified protection for their various connected devices and are willing to pay for it. CSPs are best placed to address this industry-wide issue and improve the customer experience."

Among other findings are that 68 percent of mobile Internet consumers say they are aware of malware. Of these, one in seven consumers have experienced a malware attack in the past 12 months.

When faced with a malware incident the first point of contact for 26 percent of consumers is their CSP. The same percentage of consumers contact the app developer and most (35 percent) don't bother to contact anyone at all.

More information can be found in the full report which is available to download from the Allot website. The company will be demonstrating its network-based security solution at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of the month.

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