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Pure Networks' Survey: Nearly One in Two People Believe Wireless Network 'Piggybacking' is Not Stealing (30/11/2007)

Is Your Next Door Neighbor Stealing From You?

Pure Networks(TM), Inc., a leading provider of networking software, announced the results of a survey finding 49 percent of respondents did not consider using someone else's wifi network stealing, highlighting the importance of securing wireless home networks.

"Too many people are relying on the honesty of their neighbors, but as the survey shows there are a lot of people out there who don't have any problem jumping on your network if you let them," said Jeff Erwin, Pure Networks. "Apparently half the people in your neighborhood will log on to your network without a second thought."

In the United Kingdom authorities are prosecuting those caught obtaining unauthorized Internet access under the Communications Act 2003 and the Computer Misuse Act. In America there are no well-defined laws to protect our citizens' private networks.

"The survey underpins the importance of protecting your wireless home network," said Erwin. "There are a lot of security products on the market that help with spam and spyware, but don't address network security. It's important to make sure you have both."

The survey, conducted between September 20, 2007, and November 6, 2007, asked more than 500 people how they utilized their home networks. In addition to results about the perception of wifi "piggybacking," the survey found that more than 60 percent of people are very to moderately concerned about the security of their data on public wifi "hotspot" networks.

Pure Networks' software product, Network Magic, helps consumers protect their wireless home or small office networks with the following features:

-- Network Lock prevents any device outside your home network from accessing your wireless network.

-- Intruder Detection automatically identifies intruders and alerts you. Use Network Lock to kick intruders off your wireless network.

-- When using a hotspot, Network Magic's PC Shield feature automatically locks down your shared folders to protect your files from unauthorized access.

-- Create a unique network name or SSID to add another layer of security.

www.networkmagic.com