Users are putting their precious and sensitive data (Precious Data) at risk by the way they share their information and the physical devices that contain it with others. Kaspersky Lab’s My Precious Data: Stranger Danger sheds light on data sharing habits and reveals that people who share their data and devices live much more difficult digital lives than those who don’t – facing data loss and problematic devices. 
The individuals who share their data with others have a higher likelihood of encountering difficulties in their digital life – for example, almost half of users who share their data on the Internet have experienced data loss on their smartphones (47%). However, the likelihood of data loss is comparatively limited among those who do not share their data with others – only 13% of them have lost information from their smartphones.
The risks of sharing data are even greater for those who share their information with strangers, with 59% of smartphone users who share data with strangers admitting that they have experienced data loss.
People who share their valuable data online have also reported a wide range of problems with their devices. When it comes to smartphones, the most common problems include annoying ads (51%, compared to 25% of non-sharers), battery problems (41%, compared to 17% of non-sharers), apps running on their device without their permission (19%, compared to 6% of non-sharers), and malware infections (14%, compared to 4% of non-sharers).
These findings illustrate a strong relationship between data sharing issues and device problems, with those who share data being more likely to experience a more difficult digital life compared to those who do not.
Furthermore, the research shows the same correlation for people who left their physical devices in the hands of others, e.g., handing over their smartphone to others for a period of time, leaving their devices in a public space without locking them, giving out PINs, etc. These users are also more likely to experience data loss – for example, more than half (65%) of those who share their smartphone with others have also experienced data loss on their smartphones, compared to 34% of those who do not.
“Our research shows that when people share their digital data too much, they are more likely to experience device problems and data loss, making their digital lives more difficult,” commented Andrei Mochola, Head of Consumer Business KasperskyLab. “This problem is exacerbated when users share their digital devices with others or with total strangers. We know that users are unlikely to stop sharing the valuable data they love with other people online – this is one of the perks of the online world. That is why it is so important for everyone to be better aware of the potential risks they may be exposing their data and devices to. We urge people to choose protection that adapts to their needs, regardless of the specific environment they may be using. This approach identifies complex and targeted threats and offers users advice that helps reduce potential damage to their data and devices – leaving people to enjoy all that the digital world has to offer.
The report My Precious Data: Stranger Danger is based on an online survey conducted by research firm Toluna and Kaspersky Lab in January 2017. The survey assessed the behaviors of 16,250 internet users aged 16 and over from 17 countries around the world.
