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Internet users are growing bolder by the year. In 2008, a poll revealed that 18 percent of respondants admitted to, um, "borrowing" someone else's Wi-Fi. And now? That number has jumped to 32 percent, according to a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research in conjunction with the Wi-Fi Alliance. With an estimated 201 million households using Wi-Fi, it's easy to see why wireless security is more important than ever.
"Most consumers know that leaving their Wi-Fi network open is not a good thing, but the reality is that many have not taken the steps to protect themselves," said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director for the Wi-Fi Alliance. "Consumers can usually activate Wi-Fi security protections in a few simple steps, but much like the seatbelts in your car, it won't protect you unless you use it."
The poll pinged 1,045 Americans ages 18-years old and above with interviews conducted by Wakefield Research between December 10, 2010 and December 16, 2010. Though nearly a third admitting to leeching Wi-Fi, some 40 percent of respondants said they would feel more comfortable giving someone their house key than they would sharing their Wi-Fi network password. And more than a quarter said sharing a Wi-Fi password feels more personal than sharing a toothbrush.
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praetor_alpha
February 04, 2011 at 10:48am
I have, but only seldomly in a pinch. The speed and signal quality are often so bad that I'd rather poke my eyeballs out with rusty hot iron spikes than use it regularly.
someuid
February 04, 2011 at 8:46am
I wonder what would happen if Canada's horrible bandwidth limits were imposed here.
Would we see more people leeching wi-fi signals? Probably.
Would we see more people securing their wi-fi networks? Maybe, or at least until their first overage bill came in.
