?Kaspersky’s (www.Kaspersky.co.za) latest global survey shows a change in how people go online:?58% now claim their smartphone is the main device they use to access the Internet, pushing the PC into a secondary role. But as the amount and sensitivity of data stored on these phones keep growing, cybersecurity experts warn that users’ security habits aren’t keeping up.  

According to the survey* almost 60% of respondents consider a smartphone their primary device for accessing the Internet. The most active smartphone users are representatives of Gen Z,?with 67% of respondents aged?18-28 choosing a mobile phone as their main device.

With mobiles as the full-fledged rivals of computers in accessing the Internet, the amount of important data stored on them has also increased significantly. Personal photos and videos are leading the pack. Nearly two?thirds of users store visual memories on their devices. Close behind are contact details (55%), text messages and chats history (46%) and important personal documents such as IDs and passports (41%).

At the same time, a substantial portion of users keep work?related data on their smartphones (39% emails, 26% calendars and 17% even store access to corporate systems), blurring the line between personal and professional realms. Financial credentials and login details appear on 36% of devices, while emerging categories like AI chat histories (25%) and gaming accounts (24%) signal new types of personal data stored on personal devices.

“Now our smartphones serve as full?featured assistants that touch every aspect of our lives. The data we entrust to them goes far beyond photos, phone numbers or text messages. Consequently, the main question is no longer “what we store,” but “how we protect it,” requiring security to become as integral to the device as the data it carries,” comments Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.

Three keys to mobile data security 

To help users navigate this new digital reality safely, Kaspersky experts have issued a three-step security plan: 

1. No data should live on your phone only 

A smartphone should never be the sole repository for any type of information. While having everything at your fingertips is convenient, accidental deletions, loss or hardware failure can make recovery impossible without reliable backups or cloud sync.

The most sensitive data like passwords, ID or financial details requires special attention and preferably be kept in a protected format. Use a dedicated security solution like Kaspersky Password Manager (https://apo-opa.co/45cKAzp), which apart from securely keeping credentials and bank cards, has a special secret vault functionality aimed at storing important documents, for example, scanned Passports/IDs and PDF files, addresses and notes. Thanks to the cross-device synchronisation it allows access to the data from any gadget.

2. Create a guard against digital threats

In Q1 2026 (https://apo-opa.co/4b4kLFe) only, more than 2.67 million attacks utilising malware, adware or unwanted mobile software were prevented and more than 306,000 malicious installation packages were discovered.

Mobile devices require the same cyber protection as PCs. Kaspersky experts recommend cybersecurity solutions such as Kaspersky Premium that provide comprehensive protection – starting with scanning apps for potential threats upon installation, and using AI?driven features to block malicious and phishing links in real time and prevent data or money losses, among many other security layers.

3. The "what if" scenario planning

Phone loss always occurs unexpectedly, but a few proactive steps can dramatically reduce its impact:

• Turn on location services. Both Android and iOS include built-in tools that can locate a lost phone and, if needed, wipe its data remotely. Kaspersky for Android (https://apo-opa.co/3TM9Wl7) app activates this capability through the Where Is My Device feature.
• Enable automatic backups. Regular backups ensure that photos, videos, documents, contacts and other vital data can be restored even if the device is lost or stolen.
• Configure instant auto?lock. Setting the phone to lock immediately after the screen turns off keeps it inaccessible to thieves or cyber?criminals when you’re not using it.
• Keep the device physically safe. In public spaces, never leave your phone unattended or within easy reach, avoid placing it on tables, in back pockets or any other vulnerable spot.

“We often underestimate how much valuable information we keep on our mobile devices and how vulnerable that data truly is. Ask yourself:?When was the last time I backed up my photos or notes??What’s my plan if my phone goes missing??Do I verify links before I click them??While most users automatically think of security software for their computers, phones lag behind. It’s time to give your everyday digital companion the same robust cyber?protection it deserves,” adds Anton Kivva, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.

You can download Kaspersky for Android via this link (https://apo-opa.co/3TM9Wl7) and Kaspersky for iOS via this link (https://apo-opa.co/4vGr2hK).

 *The study was conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center in March 2026. 7200 respondents from 18 countries (Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam) took part in the survey.