Hackers eavesdropping and intercepting consumer information on unsecured wireless networks while 63 percent of Australian consumers think their data is protected[1]
Norton by Symantec has introduced Norton Wi-Fi Privacy, a powerful, yet easy-to-use mobile app that helps shield consumers’ information from hackers snooping on unsecured wireless (Wi-Fi) networks.
“We know many consumers believe that using a password to access public Wi-Fi means their information is safe, but that’s not necessarily the case,” said Fran Rosch, Executive Vice President, Norton Business Unit, Symantec. “Norton Wi-Fi Privacy helps protect information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, and denies access to hackers who may be eavesdropping on the same network.”
What’s At Stake?
The newly released Norton Wi-Fi Risk Report reveals that the online habits of consumers gives hackers unimpeded access to sensitive data like banking information or social media passwords.
“What turns people into easy targets is confusion about the security of public Wi-Fi networks. Norton found that only 34 percent of Australian consumers are able to distinguish between a secure and an unsecure Wi-Fi network,” said Mark Gorrie, Director, Norton Business Unit, Pacific region, Symantec.
“Most people assume that all Wi-Fi networks available in public places like airports, hotels and cafes have security built-in. That’s not the case. When consumers log onto an unsecure network, hackers are able to steal information as it travels across the web, sell it on the dark web for profit or even use the information to drain consumer bank accounts,” Gorrie added.
Even popular apps found on Android devices lack security – in Australia, 14 percent of Android apps transmit sensitive information without encryption, leaving their data unprotected. To combat this, Norton Wi-Fi Privacy uses sophisticated encryption technology and scrambles consumer information to help protect their information and identity online.
Consumers Unaware of the Risk
- More than one in two Australian consumers (63 percent) believe their personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi;
- More than half of Australian consumers have logged into personal email (50 percent) and social media (51 percent) accounts while using unsecure Wi-Fi networks, potentially compromising the credentials to their personal and professional emails;
- One in four (26 percent) Australian consumers have accessed financial/banking information over public Wi-Fi;
- Globally younger generations are more likely to think public Wi-Fi is safe: 68 percent Millennials and 62 percent Gen X, vs. 55 percent for 55+. Surprisingly, parents (66 percent) are more likely to think public Wi-Fi is safe than non-parents (59 percent).
Once aware of the risk, the survey found that consumers’ top concerns include:
- Within Australia unauthorised access to financial information (84 percent) and personal photos/videos (74 percent), getting infected with malware (83 percent) and having user information stolen (83 percent) while using public Wi-Fi;
- Seventy-four percent of Australian consumers would dread a criminal selling the login/passwords to sensitive accounts more than an intimate photo leak;
- Sixty-six percent of Australian consumers would dread having their social media accounts hacked when using coffee shop Wi-Fi more than not having internet access at all;
Availability
The Norton Wi-Fi Privacy app is available on Android and iOS platforms for purchase in the iTunes and Google Play app stores. A yearly subscription service is USD$29.99, which includes protection for one mobile device and 24/7 in-app support. PC, Mac and multi-device availability coming soon. For more information on our consumer protection solutions, please visit: www.norton.com.
Norton Wi-Fi Risk Report Methodology
The Norton Wi-Fi Risk Report is an online survey of 9,135 adults ages 18+ who use Wi-Fi across nine markets, commissioned by Norton by Symantec and produced by research firm Edelman Intelligence. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 1.03%. The Australia sample reflects input from 1,028 Australian adults ages 18+ who use Wi-Fi. The margin of error is +/- 3% for the total Australia sample. Data was collected May 17-31, 2016 by Edelman Intelligence.
About Symantec
Symantec Corporation is the global leader in cybersecurity. Operating one of the world’s largest cyber intelligence networks, we see more threats, and protect more customers from the next generation of attacks. We help companies, governments and individuals secure their most important data wherever it lives.
[1] Source: Norton Wi-Fi Risk Report, 2016
