People take more care of their smartphones than their computers, Kaspersky’s latest survey shows

Kaspersky compared the most common digital hygiene habits when it comes to smartphones and computers and found that device maintenance habits differ depending on the type of device.

On average, users take more actions to keep their mobile devices clean and up-to-date than they do when it comes to their computers.

Kaspersky experts highlight the activities that contribute to maintaining device security.

A survey* conducted in March 2026 by Kaspersky Market Research Center showed that smartphone users are noticeably more proactive when it comes to keeping their devices up-to-date: 77% of them regularly update the operating system and applications, compared to only 53% of PC users.

When it comes to managing media and files, smartphone and PC users also show different behavioral patterns: 72% of smartphone users regularly manage or delete photos and videos, compared to 49% of PC users.

At the same time, only 46% of smartphone users organize files and emails into folders or apply file naming rules, compared to 57% of PC users.

When it comes to removing unused software, 73% of smartphone owners delete apps they rarely use, compared to only 47% of PC users.

The limited storage space on phones likely fuels this habit and encourages users to be more proactive in removing apps.

Important data protection

However, Kaspersky experts point out that deleting outdated or unnecessary apps from your PC is also beneficial for the performance and security of your device.

Over time, a buildup of unnecessary apps can slow down a device, while some of them contain personal or financial data, as well as usage history, which can be misused by cybercriminals.

Interestingly, in both groups, the proportion of users who undertake security-related cleanup activities is very low.

Only 33% of mobile users and 31% of PC users regularly change their passwords, while 29% and 28%, respectively, back up important data.

In addition, only 20% of mobile users, compared to 16% of PC users, check or update app permissions and privacy settings.

Kaspersky experts consider this trend worrying, as these cyber hygiene practices are among the most effective ways to protect personal and financial data.

To truly protect sensitive data, experts recommend using a dedicated security solution, such as Kaspersky Password Manager, which, in addition to securely storing user credentials and bank cards, also offers a special secret vault function for storing important documents, such as scanned passports and ID cards, PDF files, addresses, and notes.

All of the above differences between PC and mobile device users’ habits largely stem from the different ways in which smartphones and PCs are used.

Mobile phones are primarily used for taking photos and videos, texting, watching content, and fast internet access.

Digital device hygiene practices

In addition, for the majority of users (58%), mobile phones have become the main devices for accessing the internet, which naturally leads users to undertake more activities in the field of digital hygiene.

However, the computer still plays an important role as the main tool for working with files and programs, as well as for performing business tasks.

For a significant part of the older population (58% of people over 61 years old), the computer is still the main way to access the internet.

Kaspersky experts emphasize that digital hygiene practices are equally important on both platforms, and therefore users should pay equal attention to maintaining the digital hygiene of their mobile devices and personal computers.

– Every device we use, whether it is a phone or a computer, contains an increasing amount of personal and financial information.

Photos, messages, banking data, business documents, passwords - all of this has value and is a target for cybercriminals.

Neglecting basic digital hygiene practices, such as removing unused accounts, backing up data, or managing privacy settings, leaves that information potentially exposed.

Kaspersky solutions are designed to help users take control of their digital footprint, combining automated protection with tools that make regular security maintenance easier and more efficient – said Rade Furtula, Presales Manager for Eastern Europe at Kaspersky.

Kaspersky shares tips on how to make digital cleaning habits regular and contribute to cybersecurity:

• Set a periodic reminder in your calendar (once a month or quarterly) so that you never forget to check your devices and accounts.

• Regularly check and delete old accounts that you don’t use, as well as saved payment methods. Store all credentials and financial data in a password manager so that you don’t forget the sites and applications you are registered on.

• Set up automatic data backups wherever possible. Kaspersky Premium allows users to regularly back up and restore data on Windows devices. Data backups can be easily saved on removable drives or in cloud storage, in an encrypted format.

• Install comprehensive security software to protect your device from potential malware infections and keep your data safe from compromise.

• Learn about new technologies and risks to stay up to date with the latest developments. Visit the Kaspersky Daily Blog to stay informed about the latest cybersecurity news and learn how you can stay protected in the digital world.
* The survey was conducted by Kaspersky Market Research Center in March 2026. The survey included 7,200 respondents from 18 countries: Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam.

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Rade Furtula

cyber crime

smart phones

computers