Why A Little Less Trust Between Partners Is A Good Thing

What’s the Latest Development?

Released this week, findings from a survey conducted by online security firm McAfee revealed that not enough people take adequate precautions with the type of personal data stored on their mobile devices. For example, only 40 percent of smartphone users have their phones password-protected, yet more than two-thirds said they contain e-mail passwords, credit card numbers, and even intimate photos. In addition, says McAfee security expert Robert Siciliano, “sharing passwords [between partners] has become a sign of commitment, a signal of love and devotion, like a varsity sweater or friendship ring.” Amazingly, 94 percent of respondents surveyed said they share personal information with their family and friends. 

What’s the Big Idea?

As expected, with such openness, problems can and do occur. Most people who have their partner’s passwords use them for snooping, but what they find can and does lead to conflict: 45 percent of data theft cases occurred because the person being snooped on was lying, and 41 percent “were a direct result of infidelity.” Despite this, 36 percent of those surveyed still planned to send potentially compromising images and text to their significant others this Valentine’s Day.

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Read it at International Business Times