Smartphone users are generally more proactive than PC users when it comes to keeping their devices updated and digitally clean, according to a 2026 global survey conducted by Kaspersky’s market research center.
The findings show that 77% of smartphone users regularly update their operating systems and apps, compared with 53% of PC users. Smartphone owners also appear more active in managing their digital content, with 72% regularly deleting or organising photos and videos, compared with 49% of PC users.
The differences are reversed when it comes to organising files and emails. Some 57% of PC users said they regularly arrange files and emails into folders or use naming conventions, compared with 46% of smartphone users.
Smartphone owners are also considerably more likely to remove applications they rarely use. According to the survey, 73% regularly delete unused apps, while only 47% of PC users take similar action.
Kaspersky experts note that while limited storage capacity may encourage smartphone users to remove unnecessary apps, the same practice is important for PCs. Unused applications can consume system resources, affect performance and potentially retain personal or financial information that could be targeted by cybercriminals.
However, the survey identified a significant gap in security-focused digital hygiene on both types of devices.
Only 33% of smartphone users and 31% of PC users regularly change their passwords. Similarly, just 29% of smartphone users and 28% of PC users regularly back up important data.
Reviewing app permissions and privacy settings was even less common, with only 20% of smartphone users and 16% of PC users reporting that they regularly carry out these checks.
Kaspersky describes these figures as concerning because password management, regular backups and privacy reviews are among the basic measures users can take to reduce the risk of losing sensitive information or exposing it to cybercriminals.
The survey also highlights the different roles smartphones and PCs play in users’ daily lives. Smartphones are commonly used for taking photos and videos, communicating, watching content and accessing the internet. For 58% of respondents, the smartphone has become their primary device for accessing the internet.
PCs, meanwhile, continue to play a central role in working with files, applications and work-related tasks. Among people aged 61 and above, 58% said the PC remains their primary device for accessing the internet.
Kaspersky experts therefore stress that digital hygiene should not be limited to one type of device. Both smartphones and PCs contain valuable personal, financial and professional information and require regular maintenance and security checks.
“Every device we use, whether a phone or a PC, holds a growing volume of personal and financial information,” said Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky. “Photos, messages, bank details, work documents, passwords – all of it is valuable, and all of it is a target for cybercriminals.”
Titova added that neglecting basic digital hygiene, including removing unused accounts, backing up data and managing privacy settings, can leave personal information exposed.
Kaspersky recommends that users combine regular digital clean-up with dedicated security tools. Its password manager, for example, includes secure storage for credentials and bank card information, as well as a secret vault for sensitive documents such as scanned passports and IDs, PDFs, addresses and notes.
The company says users should give smartphones and PCs comparable attention, ensuring that software is updated, unnecessary applications and data are removed, important information is backed up and privacy settings are reviewed regularly.
The survey was conducted globally by Kaspersky’s market research center in 2026.
