UK: Over half of public WiFi networks are opened to cyber-attacks

A survey by Purple WiFi, the cloud-based Social WiFi software, reveals that out of 3,349 venues worldwide, 2,048 said they were running completely open networks or handed out passwords, meaning the WiFi could be used by cyber criminals without them being tracked.

According to Gavin Wheeldon, CEO of Purple WiFi, cited by online media outlet Telegraph UK, having an open network, giving out a password or any other method of access that doesnt achieve this fundamental tracking function could land the business in considerable trouble if illegal activity takes place on the public WiFi it provides.

The survey also finds that 58 % of venues did not have content filtering in place or did not know if they did, meaning explicit or illegal websites could be accessed through the WiFi connection.