Norton by Symantec commissioned an online survey across nine countries in order to better understand consumers public Wi-Fi perceptions and practices, unveiling consumer misconceptions and worries about the safety of these connections. This survey provides an overview of how much consumers know about public Wi-Fi connections. While use of public Wi-Fi is nearly universal, most consumers are unaware of the dangers of public Wi-Fi and regularly put their personal information at risk. The survey s findings provide consumers with much-needed context to make better decisions about protecting their personal information while using public Wi-Fi.
Methodology Methodology: Online 5 minute survey Markets: US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico Target Audience: General Population (Adults, 18+) who use Wi-Fi # of Interviews: ~n=1,000 per market Fieldwork Dates: May 17 May 31, 2016 USA UK AUSTRALIA CANADA JAPAN N=1,025 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,044 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,028 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,005 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,008 MOE=+/-3% FRANCE GERMANY BRAZIL MEXICO N=1,013 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,005 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,002 MOE=+/- 3% N=1,005 MOE=+/- 3%
Use of Public Wi-Fi (US Total) 87% 69% 47% 39% Use public Wi-Fi 7% 2% 11% Yes, on my mobile phone Yes, on my laptop Yes, on my tablet Yes, on another device Unsure No, I never use public Wi-Fi on any of my devices Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 86% 89% 86% 81% 86% 84% 75% 93% 97% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) S8. Have you ever used a public Wi-Fi connection? Please note that public connections may include Wi-Fi offered at hotels, coffee shops, public transportation like airports, etc. [Multi Select]
Consumers regularly exhibit risky public Wi-Fi behaviors - over half say they have logged into email and social media accounts using public Wi-Fi Activities Done Over Public Wi-Fi (US Total) Logged into my personal email account 58% 78% have shared information over public Wi-Fi Millennial and parent users are significantly more likely to share information over public Wi-Fi, compared to other generations and non-parents (94% and 89% respectively) Logged into my social media account(s) Shared photos or videos Logged onto other accounts using a password Logged into my work email account Checked/accessed bank/financial information Provided my credit card details Shared travel plans or location information Entered personally identifiable information Sent a work document Managed my connected home device 5% 17% 14% 13% 13% 22% 22% 27% 38% 56% None of the above 22% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025)
Connected home users are no exception. 40% of those who have accessed such a device over public Wi-Fi did so with their home entry system Connected Home Devices Used with Public Wi-Fi (US Participants Who Have Accessed a Connected Home Device Over Public Wi-Fi*) 73% 69% 50% 44% 40% 31% 10% Entertainment Router Thermostat Car (internet access, remote start, music streaming, Bluetooth, GPS, etc.) Home entry system Baby monitor Other connected home device *Note that data is directional in nature due to low N size Base: US Respondents Who Have Used/Accessed Their Connected Home Devices Over Public Wi-Fi (N=52)
over1 in 2 Believe their information is safe when using public Wi-Fi (61%) Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 57% 69% 64% 58% 49% 63% 37% 53% 57% only39% Say it is unsafe Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q2: Do you feel your personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi connections? [Top 2 Box] 10
Only 42% of US consumers can tell the difference between secure and unsecure public Wi-Fi networks Unsure 28% Yes 42% No 30% Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 34% 29% 31% 29% 24% 35% 55% 36% 36% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q7: Can you tell the difference between a secure or unsecure public Wi-Fi network?
Once consumers consider what can happen over public Wi-Fi, they rightfully express significant worries Worries Over Public Wi-Fi (% Nervous By US) 85% 85% 84% 73% 72% 71% 68% Free Wi-Fi networks that steal information entered by Wi-Fi users Someone accessing my financial information Infecting my system with malware Someone accessing my location data Someone accessing my personal photos and videos Someone reading my emails Someone accessing my search history Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q5: When using public Wi-Fi networks, how nervous are you about each of the following? [Top 2 Box] 12
Which is Dreaded the Most? (US Total) Having my intimate photos posted online without my consent, 20% A criminal selling the login and passwords to my sensitive accounts, 80% Voting for a presidential /prime minister candidate that I hate, 13% Having my financial information stolen because I paid a bill online, 87% Not having Internet access, 37% Having my social media accounts hacked when using coffee shop Wi-Fi, 63% Losing my mobile phone, 42% Having my emails, photos and personal details exposed, 58% Someone monitoring the files, photos and credentials I send over public Wi-Fi without my permission, 47% Having someone peer over my shoulder while I key in my banking PIN code to withdraw money at an ATM, 53% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025)
Who is Responsible (US Total) Only 1 IN 2 Take personal responsibility for the safety of their information Me The site I logged into The Wi-Fi company The business where I accessed the network 17% 17% 13% 50% The police/law enforcement agency 2% Other 2% Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 49% 49% 48% 56% 37% 48% 62% 36% 54% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q6: If you were to use a public Wi-Fi network to log into a personal account, like social media or a bank account, and a criminal used this information to target you, who do you believe is most responsible to ensure your information is safe?
There is a significant lack of understanding about the best way to protect information when using public Wi-Fi What Consumers Believe is the Best Way to Protect Information When Using Public Wi-Fi (US Total % Selected) 26% 18% 24% 10% 10% 5% 5% Use my own private network such as a VPN (a Virtual Private Network) Only use websites that use HTTPS and the green bar at the top of the browser Use public Wi-Fi at trusted locations (e.g., airport, hotel, public transportation) Confirm name of Wi-Fi and password with the service provider Accept the terms and conditions provided by the service provider I don t know None of these Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q8: Information sent over a public Wi-Fi network may be vulnerable (not encrypted) to attackers spying on that network. Knowing this, which of the following do you think is the best way to protect your information while using a public Wi-Fi network? 15
ONLY 2 in 10 use a VPN every time when using Wi-Fi I never heard of VPN before today 30% No 52% Yes 18% Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 21% 13% 16% 23% 17% 18% 14% 35% 31% Base: US Respondents (N=1,025) Q9: Do you use a VPN every time you use Wi-Fi?
Core reason Lack of knowledge about how to use them Reasons for Not Using a VPN When Using Wi-Fi (US Participants Who Do Not Use a VPN Every Time They Use Wi-Fi) I don t know how to use a VPN I don t know where to buy/how to install it It s inconvenient 17% 25% 38% Global CAN U.K. DE FR AUS JP BR ME 40% 39% 39% 36% 38% 38% 36% 42% 51% It s not necessary 17% It s too expensive I don t believe I am at risk I don t believe it would benefit me Other 14% 11% 9% 5% Base: US Respondents Who Do Not Use VPNs Every Time They Use Wi-Fi (n=533) Q10: What are the key reasons you don t use a VPN every time you are on Wi-Fi?