• According to the study, Android users are less likely to fall victim to online fraud and take more effective security measures.

• Malwarebytes study: iPhone users are more vulnerable to online scams and less security conscious than Android users

Malwarebytes, a provider of real-time cyber protection, has published a new study showing that iPhone users worldwide are more likely to fall for online scams and take greater online risks than Android users.

The study surveyed 1,300 adults in the United States, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The results show that iPhone users disclose more personal information online, use security software less often and reuse passwords more frequently than Android users. At the same time, iPhone users reported being victims of online scams and shopping online from unknown or untrustworthy providers more often.

‘Too many iPhone users rely on the reputation of their iPhone when it comes to security, without taking basic measures to protect themselves. This makes them more vulnerable to scams and hidden threats such as infostealers,’ said Michael Sherwood, VP of Product at Malwarebytes. “We can no longer rely on reputation when surfing the internet, chatting or banking online. Cybercriminals know that mobile devices and their users are vulnerable to threats and scams. We need to be aware of this and question everything, from text messages and search results to email attachments and links.”

Key findings of the study at a glance:

• 53 percent of all iPhone users have already been victims of online fraud, compared to 48 percent of Android users.
• 21 percent of all iPhone users said they use security software on their smartphones, compared to 29 percent of Android users.
• 35 percent of all iPhone users use unique passwords for different online accounts, compared to 41 percent of Android users.
• 47 percent of all iPhone users have purchased an item from an unknown or untrustworthy source because it was the cheapest option available, compared to 40 percent of Android users.
• 41 percent of all iPhone users said they had sent a direct message to a company or seller’s account via social media to get a discount, compared to 33 percent of all Android users.

iPhone users tend to trust the security measures built into their devices: 55 percent of iPhone users surveyed said they trust their smartphone’s security measures, compared to 50 percent of Android users. This explains both the differences in user behaviour and the higher risk tolerance of iPhone users.

Scam Guard: An AI-powered digital security companion for fraud detection

To combat the growing threat of online fraud, Malwarebytes recently launchedScam Guard, a new tool that provides digital security recommendations and feedback on fraud attempts, threats and malware. Users can easily report suspicious content within the mobile app via a chat interface. The feature, integrated into the Malwarebytes Mobile Security app, aims to reduce the stigma associated with being a victim of online fraud through education and prevention.