NORTON WI-FI RISK REPORT
Report of Online Survey Results in 15 Global Markets

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 of
public Wi-Fi is nearly universal, most consumers are unaware of the dangers when connecting to publicWi-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 to Wi-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 Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and USA.
• The research was conducted by Norton by Symantec and Reputation Leaders throughinternational online panel company Research Now. Data was collected from May 18th toJune 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, genderand region.

• The margin of error in total was 0.8% at a 95% confidence level, and 3.1% in eachmarket
3Demographics of the study
Are you...

Female,50%

Male,50%1000 mobile
Wi-Fi users ineach of 15countries

How old are you?
20%

19%

Which generation are you?

22%
Traditionalists (72+)

17%

13%

10%

3%

Boomer (53-71)

32%

Gen X (38-52)

25%

Millenial or Gen Y…
18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64 65 andover

Gen Z (18-20)

36%
4%
4

Key Findings: Global• Consumers are unable to resist a strong, free Wi-Fi signal.
– More than half of consumers globally (55 percent) wouldn’t think twice about exchanging, sharing
or even doing something to get a strong Wi-Fi signal.
– 25 percent have accessed a Wi-Fi network without the Wi-Fi network owner’s permission; 8percent guessed or hacked the password– 46 percent of consumers can’t wait more than a few minutes before logging onto a Wi-Fi networkor 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 Wi-Fi signal is a deciding factor when choosing thefollowing:• A hotel/holiday/hostel rental (71 percent)• A transport hub for traveling and/or commuting (46 percent)• A place to eat or drink (café, bar, restaurant, etc.) (43 percent)• An airline (43 percent)– Nearly half (49 percent) of people say the most important reason for having access to strong
public Wi-Fi is so they can use Maps, Google Maps or another GPS app to get around.

5Key Findings: Global (cont.)• Nevertheless, what some people choose to do over public Wi-Fi may
surprise you.
– One in six people 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:– Hotel/Airbnb (40 percent)– Café/Restaurant (30 percent)– Work (29 percent)– Airport (25 percent)– On the street (24 percent)– Train/bus station (18 percent)– Public restroom/toilet (16 percent)6Key Findings: Global (cont.)• Consumers’ dependency on public Wi-Fi is putting their personal information at risk.
What someone thinks are private on his or her personal device could easily be accessedby cybercriminals via compromised apps or Wi-Fi networks.
– 60 percent feel their personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi, yet 53 percent can’t tell thedifference between a secure or unsecure public W-Fi network.
– 75 percent of consumers don’t use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure their Wi-Fi connections, eventhough it’s one of the best ways to protect your information.
– 87 percent of consumers 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.
– 48 percent would feel horrified if the details of their bank accounts and financial information were posted
online.
– 38 percent would feel angry if their photo library, including intimate, personal and family photos were posted
online.
– 36 percent would be worried if their children’s schedule, location or academic details were posted online.
– 21 percent would be embarrassed if the details of their private chats/texts conversation or closest secrets
were posted online.

7Key Findings: Global (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 protection 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 informationis still 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Consumers love free Wi-Fi – 55% wouldn’t think twice about
exchanging, sharing or even doing something to get a strong,
free signal
45%

I wouldn't do, share or exchange any of the above for free Wi-Fi

34%

Watch a 3-minute ad

1 in 3would be willing towatch a 3-minutesad

Swap seats on a flight with someone else to ensure I have a strong Wi-Fi signal
Swap my hotel room or holiday home rental to ensure I have a strong Wi-Fi signal
Allow access to a photo of myself
Swap my concert or stadium seat with someone else to ensure I have a strong Wi-Fi signal
Share my personal details

Introduce myself to a complete stranger

Nearly 1 in 10
would be willing toshare personal
details

Download an app from an unknown source
Share access to my personal emails
Allow access to my contact list
Allow permission to access and edit all my social media accounts
Leave my travel group to stay somewhere by myself
Allow permission to access my online dating profile

Willing to do something

12%
11%
8%
8%
8%
7%
7%
7%
6%
6%
6%
5%
55%

Asked to all

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

10Sometimes they don’t ask – 25% have accessed a Wi-Fi network
without the owner’s permission, and 8% guessed or hacked thepassword
Have you ever accessed someone else's Wi-Fi network from your device
without their permission?
57%No - neverHave accessed or would access a public Wi-Fi network without permission
(Net)

31%

25%

Have accessed a Wi-Fi network without permission from the owner (Net)Yes - it was an open Wi-Fi network belonging to a nearby person, business orfacility

21%
20%

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

8%

No - but I would if I needed to go online and had the chance

7%

Prefer not to answer

1%

People could
select multiple
options, will
not add up to100%

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

NORTON: WI-FI SECURITY

26-Jun-17

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

A transport hub for traveling and/orcommuting

71%

46%

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

43%

An airline

43%

Asked to all

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

12Nearly half say strong public Wi-Fi for Maps or GPS is mostimportant
In these situations, what do you consider the most important reason for having
access to a strong, public Wi-Fi connection?
49%

So I can use Maps, Google Maps or another GPS app to get around47%

In case someone important needs to get in touch with me

41%

So I can avoid draining my data

29%

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

26%

So I can keep in touch with work wherever I am
So I can access my streaming services (Netflix, TV apps via internet, Hulu, etc…)

20%18%So I can keep tabs on my financial information or bank account balance

10%

So I can keep my child/children preoccupied

8%

So I can access my online dating app or profile

Other (please write as much as possible)

3%

Asked to EMEAand Americas

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 – 44% of Gen Z say the mostimportant 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 by which generation are you?
44%
36%
29%

28%
20%
12%

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 or
Snapchat
Asked to EMEA
and Americas

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

14Nevertheless, what people do on public Wi-Fi may surprise you
One in six admit to using public Wi-Fi to watch adult content. They’ve done so in the following
locations:

Hotel/Airbnb

NORTON:SECURITY
OntheWI-FIstreet

At a friend’s

Café/Restaurant

Work

AirportTrain/bus station

Library

Public toilets

26-Jun-17
SchoolHowever, consumers have a false sense of security – 60% feel
their personal information is safe when using public Wi-Fi
One in six (15%) feel their personal information is very safe
when using public Wi-Fi connections
7%
15%

32%

Unsafe
40%
Safe
60%

Very safe
Somewhat safe
Somewhat unsafe
Very unsafe

46%Asked to all

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

1675% don’t use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure their WiFi connections
Do you use a VPN every time you use Wi-Fi?

While three quarters ofpeople are familiar
with VPNs, only one
third of those peoplechoose to use a VPN toprotect their personalinformation.

Yes
25%
No
46%
I never heard ofVPN before
today
29%

Asked to all

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

17

87% admit to taking security risks on public Wi-Fi, such asaccessing personal email, bank accounts or financial
information
Which of the following have you done on your mobile phone, tablet
or laptop while connected to a public Wi-Fi network?
59%
56%

Logged into my personal email accountLogged into my social media account(s)44%Shared photos or videos

Logged into my work email accountChecked my bank account or accessed financial information
Logged onto other accounts using a password
Shared travel plans or location information
Sent a work document (e.g., planning document, financials)
Entered personally identifiable information (e.g., social security
number, birthday, address)
Provided my credit card details (e.g., when online shopping)
Managed my connected home device (e.g., thermostat, home entry,baby monitor, etc.)
None of the above

26%
25%
22%
22%
19%
17%
16%

87%
Have
taken risks
on publicWi-Fi

9%
13%

Asked to all

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

18

74% can’t tell if their apps are transmitting information in asecure way
Do you know how to tell if your apps are transmitting
information in a secure way over Wi-Fi?

Yes, 26%

No, 74%

Asked to APAC
Q8 Do you know how to tell if your apps are transmitting information in a secure way over Wi-Fi?

19

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

HorrifiedAngry

Worried

Details of your bankaccounts andfinancial information

Your photo library incl.
intimate, personal andfamily photos

Your children'sschedule, location or
academic details

26-Jun-17NORTON: WI-FI SECURITY

Embarrassed

Neither worried norhorrified

Details of your private News sites you visit orchat/text
political preferences
conversations orYour closest secrets