As smartphones become smarter, security risks rise, according to a study conducted by comScore M:Metrics on behalf of Airwide Solutions.

The study looked at the way mobile subscribers use their phones across five European markets - Britain, France, Spain, Italy and Germany. The study found that despite the risky trends, carriers have a major opportunity to play a proactive and strategic role in protecting their subscribers, both through education and also through the security software they deploy across their networks.

"As text messaging in the U.S. is rising faster than anywhere else, and so is multimedia messaging, combined with the vast proliferation of flat-rate/all-you-can-eat subscriptions in the U.S. and the more widespread use of smartphones, these numbers are likely to be surpassed in a short while by U.S. numbers," said Jay Seaton, chief marketing officer of Airwide Solutions, Berkshire, England.

Expect mobile spam, phishing attacks, viruses, denial-of-service attacks, spoof messages, OTA messages, scam and flooding, Mr. Seaton said.

"Also an interesting sort of 'unsolicited' messages are marketing or advertising messages that are not meant as unintentional, but if not carefully sent, can be perceived as unintentional," Mr. Seaton said.

"And last but not least, one of the most serious sorts of unwanted messages are mobile bullying messages towards teenagers," he said.

SMS or it's a mess?
The Airwide study revealed some major dangers surrounding mobile spam.

Although some wireless carriers have deployed anti-spam services, the number of people in the European Union receiving unwanted text messages is on the rise.

In fact, this number is growing 21.3 per cent year over year.

Some spam messages contain mobile worms and viruses. Therefore, this statistic is a cause for concern, according to Airwide.

Additionally, the use of gambling and adult services by consumers under 18 years of age is also a problem, the study reveals.

In total, Spain recorded the biggest problem with 4 percent of youth ages 13-17 accessing adult or gambling services between June 2007 and June 2008.

Britain recorded the lowest problem, with only 1.3 per cent of minors accessing inappropriate mobile Internet sites.

With many people using smartphones, mobile phones are also being used to safeguard sensitive company information and personal data such as social security numbers, PIN codes, passwords, company financial data and other proprietary information.

Additionally, mobile phones are starting to be used to conduct financial transactions.

The study found that 5.6 million people in the EU access financial information from their mobile phones -- a 23.6 percent increase from last year.

Italy has been the fastest to embrace mobile banking services, with a 30.2 percent increase in use from June 2007 to June 2008.

Better safe than sorry
In short, the study found that mobile phones have become a vital part of everyday life for people.

Devices are more omnipresent than personal computers, inherently more portable than other communications devices and carry far more personal and valuable data than ever before.

The survey also found that while consumers are using mobile phones to take more photos and record more videos, consumers are at risk of losing these personal memories.

How? Fifty percent of the survey respondents across Europe do not back up their data.

The main implication of the study is that mobile security is a threat that is continuously growing. Pretending it is not an issue does not address the problem.

The increases in the use of mobile phones both for personal and corporate use means that mobile subscribers, parents and corporate organizations need guarantees that their phones and data are secured.

This issue of mobile security seriously needs to be taken more seriously, according to the Airwide findings.

The research makes it clear that consumers rely on mobile phones to carry out a large percentage of daily tasks. So, ensuring they are protected from security risks is paramount.

"The EU is probably not typical - Asia has the same issues with spam," Mr. Seaton said.

"Every country with a high mobile penetration and a high use of SMS, combined with interesting subscriptions for mass-sending of malevolent messages are subject to security issues," he said.

"First of all, a network-based backup of smartphone information is necessary to safeguard valuable information. Second, a network-based security system ... is helpful in fighting unsolicited and virus-carrying messages before they reach the smartphone.

"Third, [it] ... is helpful to block stolen handsets from being used on the operator's network. Fourth, a next-generation device management system is helpful that can check the on-device software over the air and perform repairs, if necessary."