With an estimated 270 million Americans viewing their smartphones about 14 billion times per day, it’s no surprise that we’re getting more concerned about the safety of our data online.

Consider these findings from Deloitte's U.S. edition of the 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey:

• 85 percent of consumers have concerns about companies using, storing and sharing their personal data with third parties.
• 85 percent of respondents now believe that companies with which they interact online use their personal data "all" or "most of" the time.
• Consumers are 14 percent less likely this year to share their photos and address books with companies they interact with online, marking a substantial change in behavior from last year.
• With regard to mobile in-store payments, only 31 percent of respondents indicated they have ever used their mobile device to make an in-store payment, and only 14 percent do so on a weekly basis. Security concerns (42 percent) and lack of perceived benefits (42 percent) were cited as main reasons by respondents. 

To help protect yourself online:

• Never store usernames and passwords.
• Don’t use the same password across multiple sites.
• Create passwords based on phrases that only you would know.
• Avoid using WiFi in public places, such as shopping malls and airports.
• Use double authentication as much as possible.
• When shopping online, use a credit card as opposed to a bank card to avoid compromising a checking or savings account.