This figure is derived from the number of users who put their bank accounts at risk from phishing and other cyber attacks through the use of insecure public WiFi. Commissioned by web hosting and domain registry company UK2, the YouGov survey shows that more than half (56%) of UK adults who use public WiFi either do not or rarely check to see if the network is encrypted. “Public WiFi networks in places such as coffee shops, pubs, airports or hotels, are often unsecured connections which can expose personal data and leave devices open to online threats such as malware, spyware and cyber-snooping.”
Worryingly, 15% of the UK’s public WiFi users have entered credit or debit card details over public WiFi, while 14% have logged on to online banking.
These figures are particularly surprising since the same users are far more security conscious using their own home WiFi, where 86% of WiFi users take measures to ensure their WiFi is secure.
“The results of our research on public WiFi usage suggest that users prioritise convenience over taking sensible security precautions,” says Russell Foster, managing director of VPNHQ (UK2’s VPN-based security solution). “The amount of personal data transmitted from mobile devices is growing, making them increasingly attractive targets for cyber criminals.”