Forty percent of home Wi-Fi users do not understand security settings says ICO
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News release 16 March 2011
40% of people
who have Wi-Fi at home do not understand how to change the security
settings on their wireless (Wi-Fi) networks, an online survey
commissioned by the Information Commissioner’s Office has shown.
To highlight
the need for a greater understanding of the security measures available
to wireless network owners, the ICO has today published new guidance
which will help people to better protect themselves against the dangers
of cyber crime and identity theft.
The survey,
carried out online by YouGov, has also revealed that, despite most
internet service providers now setting up and installing their
customers’ Wi-Fi security settings for them, 16% of the people surveyed
with a home Wi-Fi network are either unsure or are already aware that
they are using an unsecured network.
The new
guidance from the ICO explains how people can check the security
settings on their Wi-Fi router and provides information on how to make
the network more secure, including setting up a strong password to stop
other people accessing the network and making sure the information sent
over the device is encrypted.
The ICO is
also calling for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), retailers and
manufacturers to make sure the guidance supplied with their Wi-Fi
equipment is clear to the end user and fully explains the risks of
people using an unsecured connection.
Steve Wood,
Head of Policy at the ICO said:
“People
wouldn’t go out and leave their front door unlocked, but many are still
surfing the internet without adequate protection for their personal
information. The fact that Google’s Street View cars were able to pick
up payload data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks as a by-product of their
signals mapping exercise has further highlighted that more people need
to take their Wi-Fi security settings seriously.
“Leaving
your Wi-Fi connection unsecured allows people easy access to your
network. This increase in traffic could reduce the speed of your
connection or cause you to exceed a data cap imposed by the service
provider. However even more worryingly, it also leaves you open to the
actions of rogue individuals who may be using your Wi-Fi to carry out
potentially criminal actions without your knowledge. Today’s new
guidance aims to get people thinking about whether they are doing
enough to ensure their wireless networks are secure.”
Today’s
guidance from the ICO on the use of Wi-Fi networks is available here: http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_the_public/topic_specific_guides/wifi_security.
aspx
Notes
1.The Information Commissioner’s Office upholds
information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public
bodies and data privacy for individuals.
2.The ICO has specific responsibilities set out
in the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000,
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and Privacy and Electronic
Communications Regulations 2003.
3.The ICO is on Twitter,
Facebook
and LinkedIn,
and produces a monthly e-newsletter.
4.Anyone who processes personal information must
comply with eight principles of the Data Protection Act, which make
sure that personal information is:
- Fairly and lawfully processed
- Processed for limited purposes
- Adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Accurate and up to date
- Not kept for longer than is necessary
- Processed in line with your rights
- Secure
- Not transferred to other countries without
adequate protection
5.All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from
YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 1998 adults. Fieldwork was
undertaken between 2 to 4 March 2011. The survey was carried out
online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB
adults (aged 18+).
About the Author
The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK’s
independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public
interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for
individuals. We do this by promoting good practice, ruling on
complaints, providing information to individuals and organisations and
taking appropriate action when the law is broken.
The ICO enforces and oversees the following
legislation:
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Freedom of Information Act 2000
- Privacy and Electronic Communications
Regulations
2003
- Environmental Information Regulations
2004
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Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2011-06-07 15:46:35 in Computer Articles
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