13 September 2011

Gadget insurance: approaching half of computing devices are not properly protected

New research reveals that computers and mobile phones devices are the latest targets for tech thieves. This data is particularly worrying considering that 4 out

New research reveals that computers and mobile phones devices are the latest targets for tech thieves. This data is particularly worrying considering that 4 out of 10 lost or stolen mobile computing devices are not password protected.

In a world in which the use of tech devices is increasing every day, using gadget insurance is essential to protecting owners in case of loss or theft.

The online fraud and identity expert Churchill Home Insurance and Garlik has released a new study revealing that the information that Brits have stored in their mobile computing devices – such as laptops and iPhones – is not sufficiently protected.

In fact, research shows that almost 40% of mobile computing devices that were lost or stolen in the past two years were not protected with a password.

Unsafe gadgets

British habits regarding device protection are not particularly high. While 48% of people changed all of their passwords to online personal accounts, a worrying 28% of Brits didn't change their passwords at all.

In addition to this, 21% of portable device owners said they never cleared their internet history, 16% store the answers to security questions and 14% store bank details on portable devices. Even more worrying, 9 % store credit card details and 8% do so with their PIN numbers.

These habits can easily put gadget users at high risk in the case of lost or stolen items.

Additionally, recent figures by Endsleigh insurance highlighted the increasing use of gadgets among British people. Tech-savvy students regularly carry more than £1,000 worth of gadgets with them every day.

The study revealed that students will be taking a laptop (83%), a desktop computer (14%) and/or a tablet PC (4%) to university for the start of the new term. Also, research showed that students take a mobile phone to university, with 59% of those being Smartphones.

All these trends just confirm the need to invest in quality gadget insurance.