'People use smartphones more but invest less in their security': New report claims McAfee and Norton remain the most loved antivirus brands as users
ditch lesser-known security products for free tools like Microsoft Defender
or Apple Xprotect

Date:
Sun, 10 May 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Description:
Smartphone usage dominates daily life, but most users avoid paying for security, relying instead on built-in protections and limited awareness

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Most smartphone users rely on built-in security without additional protection Paid antivirus adoption on mobile devices continues to decline steadily A significant share of users remains unprotected or unaware of safeguards Most Americans now use their smartphones more than their computers, but very few spend money to protect those phones from hackers, new research has claimed.

A Cybernews report surveyed over 1,000 American adults, and found only 18% of mobile phone users pay for third-party antivirus software. Built-in tools
like Microsoft Defender and Apple 's XProtect have become the default choice for most people, while McAfee and Norton lead the paid market for the second year in a row. Latest Videos From You may like Best Antivirus Software 2026 Can Windows 11's built-in antivirus keep you safe? Microsoft thinks so Microsoft phishing threat report shows 146% surge in quishing Smartphone owners are skipping extra security protections Most consumers believe the security features already built into their phones are sufficient for daily use, and see little reason to spend extra money on something they think they already own for free.

Roughly 14% of mobile users say they have no cybersecurity tools installed at all on their devices. Another 16% cannot even name what protections they currently have in place.

On desktop computers, the situation looks very different, with far fewer unprotected machines and much wider adoption of third-party security tools.

Windows Defender and Apple's native security features now serve as the
primary defense for 53% of computer users and 51% of mobile users. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
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Most people choose these free options because they trust the operating system vendor to provide adequate baseline protection.

Paid antivirus adoption on computers has actually grown by 2% since last
year, reaching 41% of users.

On mobile devices, however, third-party antivirus usage has dropped by
roughly 10% over the same period, falling from 28% to just 18%. What to read next Time for an upgrade? Report warns outdated operating systems could be
the 'unnecessary risk' your business forgot about 'Cybercriminals are industrializing deception': new report reveals how major global cybercrime syndicates have infiltrated trusted domains with millions now at risk -
here's what you need to know 'A sophisticated threat that is quietly
reshaping the economics of digital fraud': How hackers are employing virtual cloud phones to power major scams Mobile users face growing risks Ransomware attacks targeting smartphones are still less common than those aimed at computers, but the threat landscape is shifting rapidly.

Users who depend solely on the free security tools that came with their
phones may be underestimating what modern cybercriminals can do.

Paid subscriptions have gained ground over free alternatives, yet the
majority of mobile owners still avoid spending money on dedicated protection.

Cybercrime exposure does influence some users to change their habits, but personal experience is not the main driver of adoption for most people.

Many users employ layered security approach, combining antivirus with VPNs
and password managers .

However, the data shows that a large segment of mobile users remain either unprotected or unsure about what safeguards they have.

Established brands like McAfee and Norton continue to benefit from user
trust, while lesser-known products struggle to gain acceptance even when
their features are comparable. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/people-use-smartphones-more-but-invest- less-in-their-security-new-report-shows-that-mcafee-and-norton-remain-the-most -loved-antivirus-brands-as-users-ditch-lesser-known-security-products-for-free -tools-like-microsoft-defender-or-apple-xprotect


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