1. tyntec Research: Brazilian and Russian Social Media Users Are
Concerned About Identity Theft – UK and US Counterparts
Worry Most About Lack of Information Control
This July 2013 representative survey was conducted by YouGov and sponsored
by tyntec, polled more than 4,000 participants aged 18-55+ in the US, UK,
Brazil and Russia

2. Table of Contents
Introduction
Global Security Findings
Top Social Media Security Concerns
Key takeaways
About tyntec

3. Introduction
In its second annual recent “Mobile Messaging and Social Networking Survey,”
new international research from tyntec and YouGov reveals in this representative
survey that despite security concerns, the majority of consumers in the US and
UK are reluctant to share their mobile number with Internet companies.
tyntec and YouGov surveyed over 4,000 participants aged 18-55+ in established
mobile phone markets: the US and UK, and countries of imminent mobile market
growth: Brazil and Russia.
When it comes to concerns with social media, consumers in emerging markets are
most troubled about identity theft, whereas consumers in developed markets are
most concerned with the lack of control over what information is shared.
Russian users display the most vulnerability to social media hacks with 35% of
respondents claiming that their own online account had been hacked at some
point – that number was nearly triple that of the other nations surveyed: Brazil
(12%), UK (7%), and US (12%).
Internet companies should commit to educate end-users about the security of
their individual social accounts and the importance of sharing their mobile number
in order to launch SMS-based two-factor authentication.
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4. International Security Findings

5. Russia & Brazil Are Most Willing to Share
Numbers for Security
Given the option:46% of respondents from Brazil and 42% from Russia,
respectively were willing to share their mobile number for increased security
of their accounts with online application providers.
Only 12% of UK respondents and 11% of US respondent said they would
share their numbers.
In all countries surveyed, women display the most risk-adverse behavior
when it comes to sharing their mobile numbers.
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6. Russians Are More Susceptible to Hacks
In Russia, 35% of respondents claimed their social media account has
been hacked — significantly greater than any other country.
12% of Brazilians, 7% of UK and 12% of US said their accounts have been hacked.
39% of UK and 35% of US respondents stated they knew of someone else whose profile
had been hacked.
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7. Two-Factor Authentication
All countries were unfamiliar with the terms 2-factor authentication or 2-step
authentication:78% in Brazil, 79% in Russia, 77% in the UK and 72% in the US
Do you know what 2-factor authentication
or 2-step authentication is?
80%
70%
Yes
60%
50%
40%
No
30%
20%
10%
0%
Brazil
Russia
UK
USA
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8. Top Social Media Security
Concerns

9. Identity Theft: Biggest Security Concern
Brazil and Russia respondents claimed identity theft tops the list of
greatest social media concerns, with 44% and 28% respectively.
UK and US respondents identified the lack of control over sharing as most
concerning, at 36% and 38%, respectively. 23% of Brazilian respondents and
18% of Russian respondents identified this concern.
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10. Key Takeaways

11. Key Takeaways
In an effort to combat security threats, many Internet companies like
Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and Twitter are turning to SMS-based two-factor
authentication (2FA) to augment their existing systems due to its userfriendliness, cost efficiency and effectiveness.
Internet players need to educate end-users on security and make clear the
necessity of to sharing mobile numbers in order to deploy 2FA and gain more
security on their individual accounts.
Mobile numbers are considered highly sensitive information as it is a "personal
identifier" – Internet players are urged to respect this particular point to mitigate
the churn risk resulting from "online only" security issues.
If 2FA should be successfully implemented, internet players are obliged to ensure
that mobile numbers are treated appropriately.
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12. About tyntec
tyntec is a mobile interaction specialist, enabling mobile service
providers, enterprises and Internet companies to integrate mobile
telecom services – voice, SMS and phone numbers - in a reliable, global and easy-tointegrate manner.
We leverage our expertise in telecom services for American companies looking to
provide telecom services in multiple countries, especially U.S. and Europe.
tyntec is an 11-year established, experienced player – operating since 2002.
500+ corporate customers in Europe, Asia, US, India, Australia, Africa and Middle
East, specializing in Web 2.0, OTT (Over The Top) and Internet companies, mobile
operators, including Astrium/EADS, Neustar, GameDuell, Get.IT and Elephant Talk.
More than 150 employees; Offices in UK, Germany, Singapore, and San Francisco
with an R&D team composed of experts in SS7, IP, TDM, SIGTRAN and others.
Investors: HarbourVest, an independent global investment firm and an SEC-registered
investment advisor, and Iris Capital, leading pan-European growth fund specializing in
technology, media and telecommunications.

13. Thank you!
For more information:
www.tyntec.com
www.ttone-solution.com
PR contacts:
tyntec@barokas.com (US)
tyntec@parys.com (UK)
@tyntec
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