Executive summary of the Study on security in wireless networks (Wifi) in Spanish households

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Valentine Norton
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1 Executive summary of the Study on security in wireless networks (Wifi) in Spanish households Annual report 2011 (8th wave) INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE TECNOLOGÍAS DE LA COMUNICACIÓN

2 Objectives and methodology OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY STUDY METHODOLOGY To investigate the spread of wireless networks and users' connection preferences. Online panel To identify habits when using wireless communications. To analyse progress in the use of security measures and the security incidents experienced. To guide users with initiatives and recommendations for improving their security. OPINION Quarterly surveys of users with Wifi connections n = 3,655 (3rd quarter 2011) n = 23,927 (from Oct. 2009) 2

3 Technical specifications Universe Spanish Internet users aged over 15 years with frequent access to the Internet from home. Sample 3,655 users surveyed Sample distribution Multistage sampling stratified by Autonomous Region and size quotas by household, age, gender, work activity and home size. Information collection Online interviews. Fieldwork September to December Sampling error In accordance with the criteria of simple random sampling for dichotomous variables where p=q=0.5 and for a confidence level of 95.5%, a sampling error of 1.62% for n= 3,655 is established. 3

4 Contents Main results Spread of wireless networks Habits of use Security measures employed Security incidents Final conclusions 4

5 Main results Spread of Wifi wireless networks Three out of four Spanish users connect to the Internet via a wireless network (Wifi). With respect to Internet connection points, 68.7% use their own router, 21.2% connect via a public Wifi network and 11.7% connect via the network of another individual (friend, neighbour, etc.). Habits of using Wifi wireless networks 42.9% of users connect to other Wifi networks whenever they need to and anywhere. Contrasted to this habit, 37.8% of users take the precaution of only connecting for specific operations and 19.3% only if the network is protected with a password. Security measures used in Wifi networks In the 3rd quarter of 2011, 32.6% used WPA/WPA2, compared to 19.9% who used WEP. 3 out of 10 users declared that their Wifi network was protected but did not know the security standard used in their connection. In the last year, users continued improving their Wifi protection, dropping insecure standards such as WEP (10.6 percentage points less) and increasingly adopting WPA/WPA2 (increase of 8.1 points). Security incidents The percentage of declared intrusions at the end of 2011 was 11.7%. This value fell slowly during 2011 (2.3 percentage points). 5

6 Spread of wireless networks Evolution in the use of Wifi wireless networks (%) 79.1% 20.9% 75.8% 24.2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% I connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi wireless network I don't connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi wireless network 6

7 Spread of wireless networks 100% 90% Evolution of Internet connection points via Wifi wireless networks (possibility of multiple responses) (%) 80% 70% 60% 50% 74.1% 68.7% 40% 30% 20% 10% 25.2% 21.2% 11.9% 11.7% 0% Own connection (router) Public network (town halls, cafes, etc.) The network of another individual user (friend, neighbour, etc.) 7

8 Habits of using Wifi wireless networks Evolution in the use of connections in public places (%) 100% 90% 18.2% 19.3% 80% 70% 60% 37.0% 37.8% 50% 40% 30% 20% 44.8% 42.9% 10% 0% When I need to, anywhere I only do it for certain operations Only if the network needs a password for access 8

9 Security measures used in Wifi networks Evolution of security systems on Wifi wireless networks (%) 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 34.2% 30.0% 25% 20% 20.3% 20.2% 19.9% 17.2% 15% 10% 5% 13.2% 12.3% 11.0% 9.1% 6.2% 6.4% 0% Protected network, I don't know the system WPA2 standard WEP standard WPA standard I don't know if my network is protected Unprotected network 9

10 Security incidents Evolution of users suffering a Wifi intrusion (%) 14.0% 86.0% 11.7% 88.3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% I suspect I have suffered a Wi-Fi intrusion I don't suspect I have suffered a Wi-Fi intrusion 10

11 Final conclusions At the end of 2011, access to the network via a wireless connection was in general use among panelists. Access to external Wifi networks implies a risk factor. A prudent habit is to use these networks only to carry out specific operations or if the network is protected by a password. It is important to protect the wireless network with an encryption system in order to prevent a third party from accessing the data in circulation. In 2011 a progressive increase in the use of robust cyphers such as WPA and WPA2 was observed. Although it is difficult to detect an intrusion in a Wifi network, the loss of broadband can be a symptom. At the end of 2011, 11.7% of users said they had suffered a situation of this type; this value fell slightly with respect to the same value at the beggining of the year. 11

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