One in three mobile computers and smart phones is not protected with a password or security lock, even though they contain PIN codes and sensitive information, a survey showed on Monday.

According to the annual Mobile Usage Survey, from security software firm Pointsec, "Three out of 10 of these sloppy, handheld-happy users store their PIN numbers, passwords and other corporate information on them."

Smart phones are handsets mainly used by business users offering limited PC-type functionality, including email.

According to the global survey, corporate personnel now store huge amounts of corporate data on their mobile devices, including customer contacts, email details, passwords and bank account details as well as personal and private information.

More people than ever admit to having lost their mobile device. This year, 22 per cent of interviewees said they had lost their device against 16 per cent in 2004. Of those who lost their smart phone or handheld computer, 81 per cent had not encrypted the information on it.

Travelling with a mobile device was the most likely way to lose it, with the majority not being stolen but rather forgotten in the back of a taxi, left in an airport or on the train. Only 40 per cent of losses were reported to the police.

A total of 13 million smart mobile devices were sold in the third quarter alone, 75 per cent more than the year-ago period, according to Canalys market research in the UK. Nokia expects 100 million smart phones to be sold next year.

Originally published on Silicon