NORTON WI-FI RISK REPORT: U.S. Results

Research Objective
Norton by Symantec commissioned its second annual online survey, this year expanded to 15 global
markets, in order to better understand consumers’ public Wi-Fi perceptions and practices and to unveil
consumer misconceptions and worries about the safety of these connections.
This survey explores consumers’ knowledge about the safety of public Wi-Fi connections. While use ofpublic Wi-Fi is nearly universal, most consumers are unaware of the dangers when connecting to public
Wi-Fi and continue to put their personal information at risk. The survey’s findings provide consumers withmuch needed context to make better decisions about protecting their personal information while usingpublic Wi-Fi.

2Methodology• In May 2017, Norton by Symantec surveyed 15,532 mobile device users who had connected toWi-Fi to discover their attitudes to and behaviors using public Wi-Fi.
• There were at least 1000 respondents from 15 global markets: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France,Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, United ArabEmirates, the United Kingdom and USA.
– In the USA, there were 1002 respondents.

• The research was conducted by Norton by Symantec and Reputation Leaders throughinternational online panel company Research Now. Data was collected from May 18th to June
5th, 2017.
• Quotas and subsequent weighting were applied to ensure that the respondent sample matched
the most recent local census data for each market according to age, gender and region.
• The margin of error in total was 0.8% at a 95% confidence level, and 3.1% in each market

3Demographics of the study (U.S.)
Are you...

Female,
51%

Male,
49%

1002 mobile
Wi-Fi users inthe USA

How old are you?
18%

18%

18%

Which generation are you?

19%

14%

13%

Traditionalists (72+)

4%

Boomer (53-71)

32%

Gen X (38-52)

24%

Millenial or Gen Y…
18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64 65 andoverGen Z (18-20)

37%
3%
4

Key Findings: U.S.
• Consumers are unable to resist a strong, free Wi-Fi network.
– Six in ten Americans (61 percent) wouldn’t think twice about exchanging, sharing or even doing
something to get access to a strong, free Wi-Fi network.
– 35 percent have accessed a Wi-Fi network without the network owner’s permission; 12 percent
guessed or hacked the password.
– 57 percent of Americans can’t wait more than a few minutes before logging onto a Wi-Fi network or
asking for the password after arriving at a friend’s place, café, hotel or other location.
• Even when travelling, access to public Wi-Fi is a must.
– Respondents say that access to a strong, free Wi-Fi network is a deciding factor when choosing thefollowing:• A hotel/holiday/hostel rental (75 percent)• An airline (50 percent)• A place to eat or drink (café, bar, restaurant, etc.) (49 percent)• A transport hub for traveling and/or commuting (44 percent)– More than half (51 percent) of Americans say the most important reason for having access to a strong,
free public Wi-Fi network is so they can use Maps, Google Maps or another GPS app to get around.

USA; Q12 Where did you use a public Wi-Fi network to view suggestive, semi-nude / nude photos, videos or other suggestive content?; base n = 219

5

Key Findings: U.S. (cont.)• Nevertheless, what some people choose to do over public Wi-Fi may
surprise you.
– More than one in five Americans (22 percent) admit to having used public Wi-Fi to watch
adult content.
• Of those who admit to using public Wi-Fi to watch adult content, they’ve done so in the following
locations:– Café/Restaurant (46 percent)– Work (45 percent)– Hotel/Airbnb (39 percent)– Airport (37 percent)– Public restroom (23 percent)– On the street (20 percent)– Train/bus station (19 percent)6Key Findings: U.S. (cont.)• Consumers’ dependency on public Wi-Fi is putting their personal information at risk.
What someone thinks is private on his or her personal device could easily be accessedby cybercriminals through an app with potential privacy vulnerabilities or an unsecure
Wi-Fi network.
– Nearly 70 percent feel their personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi, yet 41 percent can’t tell thedifference between a secure or unsecure public W-Fi network.
– 73 percent of Americans don’t use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure their Wi-Fi connections, eventhough it’s considered one of the best ways to protect your personal information.
– 92 percent of Americans have potentially put their information at risk while using public Wi-Fi.

• When consumers think about a hacker or malicious person stealing their personal
information and posting it online, emotions run high.
– 40 percent would feel horrified if the details of their bank accounts and financial information were posted
online; 45 percent would feel worried.
– 40 percent would feel angry if their photo library, including intimate, personal and family photos were posted
online.
– 33 percent would be worried if their children’s schedule, location or academic details were posted online.
– 19 percent would be embarrassed if the details of their private chats/texts conversation were posted online.

7Key Findings: U.S. (cont.)• Though their actions may say otherwise, consumers are not invincible on public Wi-Fi.
But there are ways to better ensure your personal information doesn’t get into the wrong
hands.
– Take Protective Measures: One of the best ways to protect your information online is to use a Virtual
Private Network (VPN) from a trusted vendor. VPNs provide a “secure tunnel” that encrypts data being
sent and received between your device and the internet.
– Do HTTPS: Many companies use secure websites — HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) —to provide online security. You can tell if a website is secure if it has “https” in its URL and has a small
lock symbol next to it. However, even though the website itself might be safe, your personal information
could still be vulnerable if your network connection isn’t secure.
– Sharing Less Is Best: Think twice before entering any type of personal information – from passwords, tofinancial details and photos – over public networks. Even if you’re not actively sharing the information,
your device may be doing so for you. Many devices are programmed to automatically seek connections
to other devices on the same network, which could cause your files to be vulnerable. Be sure to disable
sharing on your devices to ensure what’s yours stays yours.

8Detailed Findings

9Americans love free Wi-Fi – 61% wouldn’t think twice about
exchanging, sharing or even doing something to get a strong,
free signal
What would you be willing to exchange and/or do to secure a free Wi-Fi
connection with a strong signal when travelling, on holiday or at a concert
or stadium event?
Willing to do something
Willing to swap or exchange
I wouldn't do, share or exchange any of the above for free Wi-Fi
Watch a 3-minute ad
Swap my hotel room or holiday home rental to ensure I have…
would be willing toSwap seats on a flight with someone else to ensure I have a…
watch a 3-minute ad
Introduce myself to a complete stranger
Allow access to a photo of myself
Allow access to my contact listDownload an app from an unknown source
Swap my concert or stadium seat with someone else to…
would be willing toShare my personal details
share personal
Allow permission to access and edit all my social media…
details
Allow permission to access my online dating profile
Share access to my personal emails
Leave my travel group to stay somewhere by myself

Nearly 1 in 3

1 in 10

61%
28%
39%
32%
16%
14%
12%
12%
11%
11%
11%
10%
10%
9%
9%
8%

USA; Q6 What would you be willing to exchange and/or do to secure a free Wi-Fi connection with a strong signal when travelling, on holiday or at a concert or stadium event?

10Sometimes they don’t ask – 35% have accessed a Wi-Fi network
without the owner’s permission, and 12% guessed or hacked thepassword
Have you ever accessed someone else's Wi-Fi network from your device
without their permission?
50%

No - neverYes - it was an open Wi-Fi network belonging to a nearby person,…

33%
21%

Yes - but it was a public Wi-Fi network
Yes - it was a secure Wi-Fi network but I guessed or hacked the…

12%4%

No - but I would if I needed to go online and had the chance
Prefer not to answer
Have accessed or would access a public Wi-Fi network without…
Have accessed a Wi-Fi network without permission from the owner…

NORTON: WI-FI SECURITY

USA; Q5 Have you ever accessed someone else's Wi-Fi network from your device without their permission?

0%

People could
40% select multiple
options, will35%
not add up to100%

26-Jun-17

Even when travelling, access to public Wi-Fi is a must forAmericans
Is access to a strong Wi-Fi signal a deciding factor for you when choosing
the following services:
A hotel/hostel/holiday rental

75%

An airline

50%

A place to eat or drink (café, bar, restaurant, etc.)

49%

A transport hub for traveling and/or commuting

USA; Q14 Is access to a strong Wi-Fi signal a deciding factor for you when choosing the following services;

44%

12

Over half of Americans say strong public Wi-Fi for Maps or GPS is
most important
In these situations, what do you consider the most important reason for having accessto a strong, public Wi-Fi connection?
51%

So I can use Maps, Google Maps or another GPS app to get around
So I can avoid draining my data

43%

In case someone important needs to get in touch with me

42%

So I can post to a social sharing website such as Instagram, Facebook…

29%

So I can access my streaming services (Netflix, TV apps via internet,…

27%
24%

So I can keep in touch with work wherever I am

19%

So I can keep tabs on my financial information or bank account balance

16%

So I can keep my child/children preoccupied

13%

So I can access my online dating app or profile
Other (please write as much as possible)

2%USA; Q7 In these situations, what do you consider the most important reason for having access to a strong, public Wi-Fi connection?

13Generations place differing values on Wi-Fi – 63% of Gen Z say
the most important reason for public Wi-Fi is to post on social
media
In these situations, what do you consider the most importantreason for having access to a strong, public Wi-Fi connection bywhich generation are you?
63%

36%
29%

29%
17%
9%

Total

Gen Z (18-20) Millenial or Gen X (38-52) Boomer (53- Traditionalists
Gen Y (21-37)
71)
(72+)
So I can post to a social sharing website such as Instagram, Facebook orSnapchat

14USA; Q7 In these situations, what do you consider the most important reason for having access to a strong, public Wi-Fi connection?

Nevertheless, what people do on public Wi-Fi may
surprise you
More than one in five Americans admit to using public Wi-Fi to watch adultcontent. They’ve done so in the following locations:

Hotel/Airbnb

At a friend’s

Café/Restaurant

Work

NORTON: WI-FI SECURITY

On
theTrain/bus
stationsemi-nude / nude photos,Library
Public toilets
USA; Q12Wheredid street
you use a public Wi-Fi network
to view suggestive,videos or other suggestive content?

Airport26-Jun-17

SchoolHowever, Americans have a false sense of security – 69% feel
their personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi
More than one in four (28 percent) feel their personal
information is very safe when using public Wi-Fi connections.
Very
unsafe, 7%

Unsafe,31%

Very safe,
28%

Somewhatunsafe,23%

Safe, 69%
Somewhatsafe, 41%

16USA; Q1 How safe do you feel your personal information is when using public Wi-Fi connections?

73% of Americans don’t use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tosecure their Wi-Fi connections
Do you use a VPN every time you useWi-Fi?

While nearly threequarters ofAmericans arefamiliar with VPNs,
only one third of
those people choose
to use a VPN toprotect their personal
information.

Yes, 27%

No, 49%I never heardof VPN before
today, 24%

17USA; Q3 Do you use a VPN every time you use Wi-Fi?

92% of Americans admit to taking security risks on public Wi-Fi,
such as accessing personal email, bank accounts or financial
information

92%

Have acted in some way

62%

Logged into my personal email account56%

Logged into my social media account(s)48%Shared photos or videos

32%

Checked my bank account or accessed financial information

29%

Logged into my work email accountSent a work document (e.g., planning document, financials)

24%

Shared travel plans or location information

23%

Provided my credit card details (e.g., when online shopping)

22%

Logged onto other accounts using a password

22%Entered personally identifiable information (e.g., social security number, birthday,…

Havetaken risks
on public
Wi-Fi

19%

Managed my connected home device (e.g., thermostat, home entry, baby monitor,…
None of the above

92%

13%

8%
18USA; Q4 Which of the following have you done on your mobile phone, tablet or laptop while connected to a public Wi-Fi network?

How would you feel ?
if a hacker or malicious person stole personal informationfrom your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop and posted it publicly online?

Neither worried nor
horrified

Horrified

Angry

WorriedEmbarrassed

Details of your bankaccounts andfinancial information

Your photo library incl.
intimate, personal andfamily photos

Your children'sschedule, location or
academic details

Details of private
chat/text
conversations

News sites you visit orpolitical preferences

40%

40%

33%

19%

35%

26-Jun-17

NORTON: WI-FI SECURITY