Mobile devices offer greater online security than PCs, expert claims

In the online world, new threats are created every[ ]day and cybercriminals are constantly evolving to target unsuspecting consumers and businesses. As more people adopt mobile devices to access their financial data, some have feared such products are more vulnerable than traditional PCs.

According to BusinessWeek writer Pete Daffern, however, online security is actually better on mobile devices than PCs.

"Geolocation helps curtail fraud: Smart mobile companies are leveraging the GPS capabilities of smartphones to stop fraud before it happens," wrote Daffern. "If a physical credit card is used hundreds of miles from a phone’s location, for example, chances are that one or the other has been stolen."

The reporter also wrote that consumers using mobile devices can reduce security threats in real-time through push messages to help banks track fraudulent activity. Some smartphones are even being released with biometric options to curb hackers, he added.

To ensure their financial data is protected at all times, people can use password manager software to constantly update their phrasing to protect against cybercriminals. The systems also allows users to take their encrypted database on the go with them through a USB storage option.