In Finland, mobile authentication is regarded as a secure method for accessing government services, but it poses serious risks if it falls into the wrong hands. Author Petteri Järvinen emphasizes the ongoing issue of phishing attacks aimed at personal banking identifiers, noting that even though criminals cannot immediately access victims' funds, they can manipulate the victim's identity through mobile authentication. One successful identification instance could allow a hacker to install banking identification software on the victim’s device, leading to complete control of their account.

Järvinen outlines a dangerous scenario where, if a victim inputs their banking credentials on a phishing website, a criminal can create a new mobile authentication credential in the victim's name on the hacker's device. This gives criminals the ability to authenticate as the victim, allowing them to interact with various government and legal services under the victim’s identity without proper verification of the device being used. The warning serves to emphasize the importance of maintaining vigilance regarding personal data security, particularly concerning mobile authentication methods.

The implications of mobile authentication misuse are profound, as it can lead to large-scale identity theft and financial fraud, prompting calls for heightened awareness and improved security measures within the system. As online services strategically harness mobile authentication, stakeholders must consider additional safeguards to protect users from these malicious activities.