JupiterResearch Finds That the Majority of Home Wi-Fi Users Are Securing Their Networks

WebKnowHow
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; 08:04 AM

JupiterResearch reported that 60 percent of Wi-Fi network owners enable security on their home networks. Detailed in a new report by JupiterResearch, "Home Wi-Fi Security: Understanding Consumer Behavior and Impact on Wi-Fi Adoption," privacy is consumers' main reason to secure their home Wi-Fi network and awareness of illicit network use and potential bandwidth theft has increased.

"Security is the number one concern for Wi-Fi network owners," said Ina Sebastian, JupiterResearch Associate Analyst and lead author of the report. "They are particularly afraid of personal information theft and eavesdropping, but the Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) standard has enabled an easier setup process more suitable for consumers."

There is no consensus among consumers on whether it is acceptable to log on to someone else's "open" network, and already 29 percent of Wi-Fi network owners have done so while traveling and 12 percent have logged onto their neighbors' network.

"Wi-Fi vendors must continue to educate consumers about Wi-Fi security," said David Schatsky, President of JupiterKagan. "As interest in digital home applications increase, vendors must ensure simple secure additions of entertainment devices in order to drive adoption by concerned network owners."

JupiterResearch provides unbiased research, analysis and advice, backed by proprietary data, to help companies profit from the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on their business.