Many smartphone owners dont take steps to secure their devices
Cybersecurity experts recommend that smartphone owners take a number of steps to keep their mobile devices safe and secure. These include using a pass code to gain access to the phone, as well as regularly updating a phone's apps and operating system. Many Americans, however, are not adhering to these best practices, according to a 
But most users (75%) fall in the middle of the mobile security spectrum. This group includes smartphone owners who use a screen lock but, unlike more diligent users, only update their phone's apps and operating system when it's convenient for them to do so.
Across age groups, similar shares of smartphone owners report taking a mix of mobile security steps, but owners ages 65 and older are much less likely than adults younger than 65 to use a screen lock and regularly update their phone's apps and operating system (13% vs. 23%). Smartphone users 65 and older are also more than twice as likely as younger users to report that they do not take any of these actions to secure their phones (8% vs. 3%)
Mobile technology has given users the ability to conduct a wide range of tasks on the go. But this connectivity also has the potential to expose users to a number of cybersecurity threats. For example, experts note that network connections, such as those found at cafes or airports, could potentially put user data and information at risk. The Pew Research Center survey finds that 54% of internet users use public Wi-Fi networks, and many of these users are performing sensitive activities such online shopping (21%) or online banking (20%).
