Wi-Fi security warning to surfers

A survey has found that many people using wireless networks in their homes don't have adequate security.

Sixteen per cent of people questioned by moneysupermarket.com said they didn't have a password on their wireless network.

A further 11 per cent said that they had connected to someone else's wireless network without the owner's knowledge, a practice known as 'piggybacking'.

Moneysupermarket warned of the dangers of leaving your Wi-Fi open to piggybackers, who could use your network to download large media files or adult content.

James Parker of moneysupermarket.com said: "It's bad enough that your neighbours can use your internet connection freely, but this becomes far more threatening if someone uses your connection for criminal or improper activity.

"People are learning to be safe online but those using wireless can undo all that by leaving their network unprotected. An unsecured internet connection is just the same as leaving your front door open," Parker continued.

The company said that anyone with a Wi-Fi network at home should password protect it, enable WPA encryption rather than WEP, and make sure you have an up-to-date and correctly configured firewall.

www.moneysupermarket.com