Maintaining proper digital hygiene habits has become a daily routine for many smartphone owners, but personal computer maintenance continues to lag behind. A global survey conducted in 2026 by Kaspersky examined user behaviors across 18 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Germany. The research revealed that consumers take significantly more actions to clean and update their mobile phones than their desktop or laptop computers.
Survey Reveals Contrasting Maintenance Behaviors
According to the findings from 7,200 respondents, 77% of smartphone users regularly install updates for their operating systems and software. In contrast, only 53% of PC users perform these software maintenance tasks on their computers. Furthermore, 72% of smartphone owners actively manage or remove unwanted photos and videos, compared to 49% among desktop and laptop users.
However, file organization remains an area where desktop users lead. The survey indicated that 57% of PC users organize files and emails into designated folders, whereas only 46% of mobile users follow structured filing routines. In addition, 73% of mobile users remove unused applications, while just 47% of computer owners uninstall old software on their computers.
Evaluating Core digital hygiene habits and Security Risks
Kaspersky noted that security-focused actions remain low across all hardware types. Only 33% of mobile users and 31% of PC users update their account passwords on a regular basis. Meanwhile, data backups are performed by just 29% of smartphone owners and 28% of computer owners. Reviewing privacy permissions is also infrequent, practiced by 20% of mobile users and 16% of PC owners.
“Every device we use, whether a phone or a PC, holds a growing volume of personal and financial information. Photos, messages, bank details, work documents, passwords – all of it is valuable, and all of it is a target for cybercriminals. Neglecting basic digital hygiene, like removing unused accounts, backing up data or managing privacy settings, leaves that information potentially exposed.”
Marina Titova, Vice President for Consumer Business at Kaspersky
Device Usage Shifts Drive Cleaning Routines
The study found that usage habits strongly influence maintenance patterns. Today, 58% of respondents identify mobile devices as their primary tool for browsing the internet. Consequently, constant mobile usage prompts users to manage storage capacity and delete unneeded apps more frequently. However, among individuals aged 61 and older, 58% still rely primarily on personal computers to access online services.
Expert Recommendations for Device Protection
Security specialists emphasize that digital hygiene habits must be applied consistently to both mobile phones and personal computers. Experts advise establishing recurring calendar reminders to review active accounts and delete stored payment methods. In addition, utilizing automated backup tools and specialized software helps safeguard valuable files against unauthorized access and data loss across corporate and personal environments.
