Wireless users 'need to protect themselves from hijacking'

www.moneynews.co.uk > General finance > Wireless users 'need to protect themselves from hijacking'

Wireless users 'need to protect themselves from hijacking'

Mon 30th Nov 2009

Consumers who have wireless broadband in their homes could be leaving themselves vulnerable to internet hijackers, according to moneysupermaket.com.

People who do not have protection on their wireless connections are open to 'piggybacking', where another user accesses their internet connection for free. This leaves individuals vulnerable to having bank details or identity information stolen from them.

Research by the price comparison site found that nine per cent of the population admitted to using someone's internet without their knowledge in the last 12 months.

Users can protect their broadband by using a password which they have to type in before they can access the web. Of those surveyed, 19 per cent did not use password protection, or did not know if they had it in place.

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

Last month, moneysupermarket.com commented on Orange announcing that it is to have 20MB broadband as standard, saying it was good to see a smaller provider promising such a fast connection speed, but that consumers should be cautious as not all would receive it in their areas.

Click here for more general finance news

Related News : General finance
	Citizens Advice welfare applauds government
	Confused.com energy defends British Gas
	Bank of Ireland passes stress test
	Tesco Mobile deal 'courts consumers'
	Scottish Widows Investment Partnership notes favourable response
	Customers should fix now, says moneysupermarket.com energy
	Confused.com highlights importance of getting the best deal
	Prices on the rise, says moneysupermarket.com energy
	Bank of Scotland economic report 'suggests transitional phase'
	Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks security advice issued