Mobile & Internet security anxiety is real. And growing. In a recent survey1 commissioned by AT&T, 55% of consumers said they’re spending more time online over the last year, no surprise during the pandemic. But as more of our lives migrate online, legitimate concerns about security are increasing. On a scale of 1-100, consumers rate their own digital security a 60/100. And more than a third of consumers recognize they need to act ASAP to protect themselves from attacks.
Small business owners are in an even tougher spot. They’re squeezed between the immediate crisis of the economy and potential long-term security vulnerabilities. They rated their own digital security at 55/100, lower than the consumer mark. And when asked the most challenging factor to securing their companies from digital scammers, 25% (the top response) said “I don’t know enough about cybersecurity.”
To help address these growing concerns we’re bringing all our security capabilities together. And the best part: our customers get many of these safeguards and tools automatically and included at no cost to them.
BUILT IN: 24/7 NETWORK PROTECTION
The security of our customers has always been a top priority for AT&T. With more than 1,000 security-related patents, we’ve been a leader in security technology for more than a century – safeguarding systems from the telegraph to 5G.
AT&T ActiveArmor℠ brings our security expertise, resources, and assets under one security suite. It’s the combination of our 24/7 network protection with built-in, patented security technology that proactively detects and prevents threats, plus additional security apps and solutions. Together, these capabilities help safeguard our wireless, fiber, and internet customers and their devices and data.
FOR ADDED PEACE OF MIND: ON YOUR WIRELESS DEVICE
Overall, unwanted spam and fraud are labeled or blocked in our network by AT&T Call Protect and our global fraud team, which examines billions of calls each day for patterns that indicate robocalls.
In fact, AT&T has blocked or labeled more than 16 billion spam calls since 2016.
In 2020 alone, we blocked or labeled approximately:
We automatically give our wireless customers essential security features including network-based automatic fraud call blocking and suspected spam risk alerts - at no extra cost.
Additionally, wireless customers can download the free AT&T Call Protect app to customize their robocall protection and even create their own personal block list. Securing our customers devices and data is just as important too - with the free AT&T Mobile Security app wireless customers can enable device security and receive data breach alerts and tips.2
Customers on our best wireless plans – AT&T Unlimited ExtraSM and EliteSM get enhanced Caller ID and additional advanced security features of the AT&T Mobile Security app including Personal ID monitoring, Safe Browsing, and expanded Wi-Fi protection at no extra charge.3
AND WHEN CONNECTING AT HOME:
Every day, we protect customers from an average of more than 270 traffic-flooding attacks. Sophisticated network tools help block these attacks so our customers’ internet connections – mobile or home – stay consistent and fast.
For consumers and small business customers, AT&T Internet and Fiber provide a range of security tools as part of their monthly service.These tools use a combination of device and network capabilities to safeguard internet users, including:
- Smart Home Manager app provides holistic view of devices and activities in the home
- Parental controls limit online access from devices connected to the home Wi-Fi network
- AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway, network firewall and anti-virus solutions help to protect devices from attack
And in the coming weeks, we’re introducing advanced internet protection to eligible AT&T Fiber customers through Smart Home Manager. Customers can enable additional levels of protection from online threats throughout their whole home, block attacks and get notifications and alerts of potential vulnerabilities. Features include proactive device safety monitoring that blocks suspicious data transmissions, safeguards against unauthorized, external access to customer networks3. The solution also keeps personal data more secure with enhanced password strength detection.
Americans’ Cybersecurity Confusion. On average, consumers give themselves a failing grade when rating their own digital security. While more than a third recognize that vulnerability and know they need to take action, they find it difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate company or a scammer – further suggesting that the increased prevalence of cybersecurity threats has consumers feeling vulnerable and confused. Some of the additional findings from our recent survey:
- More than half (53%) of consumers say they've missed an important call from a number they didn't recognize because they assumed it was spam. About a quarter (26%) say they have screened or missed a call about a job offer.
- Small business owners are facing the same issues, with 28% saying they’ve screened or missed calls that they thought were spam or robocalls but were actually prospective customers. And 24% said they’ve missed calls from existing customers for the same reason.
- 55% of consumers (66% of Hispanic consumers) say they're spending more time online over the past year, and 38% have added new devices to their home internet.
- There is no strong consensus about which type of spam annoys consumers most, but there is a consensus that spam is annoying. Two-thirds (64%) of consumers find a spam call or text more annoying than a call from a bill collector.
- More than half (53% of consumers, 56% of Hispanic consumers) are shopping online more often. More time spent online means more opportunities to encounter cyber threats.
- Consumers are adopting some stronger security practices. For example, 37% said that, compared to a year ago, they’re more likely to regularly change their passwords.
- But overall, the top challenge consumers have in protecting themselves from scammers is they find it difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate company or a scammer when they are contacted – 33% rated that as their top challenge.
Knowing is half the battle AT&T ActiveArmorSM is making it easier for consumers and small businesses to access educational resources and best practices. ATT.com/security and Cyber Aware both have great tools anyone can use to boost their digital security:
- How Cybersecure Are You?
- 3 Things You Need to Know About Robocalls: This smart and creative video explains robocalls in simple terms, shares company efforts and offers consumer tips. It continually tops our most-visited pages.
AT&T is committed to security, from our network core to customer devices. We will continue to evolve and innovate our security solutions to help educate and protect our customers in this fast-changing environment.
How can I get ActiveArmorSM? AT&T customers already have the AT&T ActiveArmorSM 24/7 proactive security that’s built into the network. On top of that, customers can download additional apps for even more protection against digital threats. For more information, please visit ATT.com/security.
What are people saying?
“Our customers, and their security, is our top priority. As security needs evolve, so do we. We’re continuously advancing our approach to ensure they feel protected. AT&T ActiveArmorSM assembles together our AI- and network-based security tools, algorithms, and automation to help our customers fortify their digital defenses 24/7. Under this one suite, it forms a smart, A.I.-powered barrier that helps block fraud, protects devices and most importantly helps to give our customers peace-of-mind online.” – Jenifer Robertson, Chief Customer Officer, AT&T Consumer
1About the survey: AT&T and TRUE Global Intelligence, the in-house research practice of FleishmanHillard, conducted a 10-minute online survey from February 24 – March 3, 2021 among 1,000 U.S. consumers ages 18+, 500 U.S. consumers who identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 500 small business owners or partners. Small businesses were defined as businesses with fewer than 100 employees and less than $1M in annual revenue. For the consumer survey, quotas were set for gender, age and region to ensure a statistical representation of the U.S. For the consumer survey, the margin of error is +/- 3% at a 95% confidence level. For the small business survey, the margin of error is +/- 4% at a 95% confidence level.