Application security Smartphone users increasingly forgo paid antivirus protection May 11, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Adobe Stock) Most smartphone users are relying on built-in security features without seeking additional protection, as paid antivirus adoption on mobile devices continues to decline steadily, according to a recent report by Tech Radar. A recent survey by Cybernews indicates that only 18% of mobile phone users in America pay for third-party antivirus software, with many trusting the built-in tools provided by operating system vendors like Microsoft and Apple. This reliance on free, pre-installed security comes despite a growing threat landscape. Approximately 14% of mobile users report having no cybersecurity tools installed at all, and another 16% are unaware of the protections they currently have. In contrast, paid antivirus adoption on desktop computers has seen a slight increase. While ransomware attacks on smartphones are less common than on computers, the sophistication of cybercriminals is rapidly evolving, potentially leaving users who depend solely on basic built-in security more vulnerable. Established brands like McAfee and Norton continue to lead the paid market, but the overall trend shows a significant portion of mobile users either unprotected or uncertain about their device's security safeguards. Source: Tech Radar SC Staff Related Application security Google removes 28 fraudulent apps from Play Store SC Staff May 11, 2026 Security researchers at ESET uncovered the malicious campaign, dubbed CallPhantom, which primarily targeted users in India, indicated by the preselected +91 country code and support for the UPI payment system. AI/ML What OpenClaw revealed about the agent security model Goutham Nekkalapu May 11, 2026 OpenClaw exposed how insecure agent architectures can turn AI ecosystems into attack surfaces. AI/ML Vibe coding has cybersecurity asking what AI can — and can’t — replace Laura French May 11, 2026 Cyber pros balance hype, skepticism and uncertainty as AI coding disrupts industry norms. Related Events Cybercast CISO Stories: AI Security (Blackhat Preview) – Arctic Wolf Thu Jul 9 Cybercast Protecting Application User Data for Better Privacy, Governance, and Compliance On-Demand Event Cybercast The Next Evolution of Application Security: AI- Accelerated DevSecOps On-Demand Event Get daily email updates SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news Business Email By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Subscribe Related Terms Banner Browser Cache Cramming Common Gateway Interface (CGI) Client Cookie DLL Injection Dynamic Link Library You can skip this ad in 5 seconds