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Most British People Happy to Piggyback Online via Unsecured Home WiFi Networks

Posted: 13th Sep, 2011 By: MarkJ
uk wireless wifi network securitywi-fiA new study of 500 UK internet users has revealed that a staggering 58% admit to having used somebody else's broadband connection without permission (i.e. 'piggybacking' via an unsecured Wi-Fi wireless link) and 29% saw absolutely nothing wrong with the practice.

The PC Support Group (PCSG) survey points to the Communications Act 2003, which strictly prohibits the dishonest use of an electronics communications service with the intent to avoid paying. But proving deliberate dishonesty, especially for a network that has been left "open" and could thus be connected to via automatic settings, would be a complicated affair (they're also easily confused with public Wi-Fi Hotspots that are intentionally left open).

The Managing Director of PCSG, Phil Bird, explained:

"There's also a view that if someone does not take the trouble to password-protect their wireless network they have to accept the consequences. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, if you don't make your system secure, you are at the very least likely to end up paying for someone else to have the privilege of accessing the web. It will also slow your use of the internet."

Happily the number of unsecured Wi-Fi networks has declined from 25% in 2006 to 6% in 2011, although 77% of people with a secured WiFi link would disclose the pass code to a friend. Interestingly 84% of business users also claimed to access Wi-Fi connections when outside of the office, yet just 11% of firms provided guidance for staff on how to keep their data secure.

Earlier this year a similar study by the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) found that 40% of UK people who have wireless networks ( Wi-Fi ) at home do not understand how to change the security settings (here). Another study across six UK cities by CPP, a life assistance company, discovered that almost 40,000 private home WiFi networks lacked adequate protection (here) and nearly a quarter had no password whatsoever.

The situation is especially tedious because it means that a vast swathe of Wi-Fi networks could be unwittingly exposing their broadband connections to potential abuse, such as "illegal" file sharing (P2P) that under the new Digital Economy Act (DEA) could result in the owners ISP connection being disconnected ("suspended"). We have a useful article that offers some help for securing your wireless network: Top 10 Wireless (Wi-Fi) Security Tips.
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