AUSTIN, TX, October 5, 2011 - Wi-Fi users in the U.S. are confident that they are taking the right steps to protect themselves when using Wi-Fi devices. In fact, 97 percent of Wi-Fi users recently surveyed by Wakefield Research for the Wi-Fi Alliance® report they believe the data on their devices and networks is "safe and secure." However, when asked about which of several recommended steps they have actually taken to protect their Wi-Fi networks or devices, respondents received an overall score of 66 percent, revealing that in practice, users were actually not as safe as they could be.

Most users (86 percent) have taken basic steps to ensure the privacy and security of their Wi-Fi network by enabling security protections on their access point or router. However, the survey data reveals significant gaps that could lead to a false sense of security. Significantly, only 59 percent of users have implemented passwords meeting basic criteria for strength and privacy.

"We are very pleased to see the increase in security awareness and a rise in some of the basic protection measures such as locking down the home network," said Kelly Davis-Felner, marketing director of Wi-Fi Alliance. "But consumers can and should do more to protect themselves. We encourage users to put their knowledge into practice and take a few additional steps to more effectively protect themselves at home and on the go."

Other survey findings included:

• Two out of three Wi-Fi users recognize that responsibility for the security of their data lies with them
• Eighty-five percent of survey respondents understand that their Wi-Fi devices should not be set for automatic sharing, yet only 62 percent actually have auto-sharing turned off
• Only 18 percent of users report that they use a VPN (virtual private network) tool when in a hotspot
• Users who have suffered the effects of a computer virus are no more likely to have better Wi-Fi security behavior than those who have never had any computer viruses
• Users who ranked themselves as "tech-savvy" are no more likely to score better on measures of Wi-Fi security behavior than those who said they are less comfortable with technology

Getting a passing grade on Wi-Fi security can be as simple as A-B-C:

A: Enable WPA2™ security on your network and devices. Look for products with Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ for simple, easy-to-use steps to enable security.

B: Passwords are in your control. Create a strong Wi-Fi network password that is at least eight characters long and includes a mixture of upper and lower case letters and symbols. It is a good practice to change passwords on a regular basis, perhaps once a year during Cyber Security Month.

C: When on the go, connect to networks you know and trust and turn off automatic sharing on devices so you can control what you connect to and who/what connects to you.

More information about Wi-Fi security, including innovations that make setting up security easier, is available at www.wi-fi.org/security. Users can test their own security knowledge with a quick online quiz, watch animations about home Wi-Fi security, and download white papers with detailed information.

Methodological note: The Wi-Fi Security Barometer Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) between August 12th and August 29th, 2011. For this research, 1,000 interviews were fielded among nationally representative ages 18 and older using random-digit telephone dialing. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population of Wi-Fi users. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of that variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews conducted. For the 1,000 interviews conducted, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance
http://www.wi-fi.org/
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global non-profit industry association of hundreds of leading companies devoted to seamless connectivity. With technology development, market building, and regulatory programs, the Wi-Fi Alliance has enabled widespread adoption of Wi-Fi worldwide.

The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ program was launched in March 2000. It provides a widely-recognized designation of interoperability and quality and it helps to ensure that Wi-Fi enabled products deliver the best user experience. The Wi-Fi Alliance has completed more than 11,000 product certifications, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services in new and established markets. 

Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, WMM®, Wi-Fi Protected Access® (WPA), the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, the Wi-Fi logo, the Wi-Fi ZONE logo and the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, Wi-Fi Direct™, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™, Wi-Fi Multimedia™, WPA2™ and the Wi-Fi Alliance logo are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

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Contact:  
Karl Stetson  
Edelman for Wi-Fi Alliance
karl.stetson@edelman.com
206-268-2215

AUSTIN, TEXAS – November 2, 2006

WHAT:The Wi-Fi Alliance, in conjunction with Kelton Research, today announced results of a nationwide survey measuring consumer awareness of Wi-Fi security. Overall findings indicate that consumers view Wi-Fi network protection as an important home security issue and are activating their network’s security accordingly.

Among the key take-aways:
•Keeping it under lock and key. Keeping families and homes safe is a high priority for many Americans, and Wi-Fi networks are no exception. Respondents ranked security for their Wi-Fi network as a “top three” essential element of home security, right behind locking windows and doors and installing a home alarm system. More than 40 percent of respondents felt that a protected Wi-Fi network is an important part of creating a safe home.
•Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s Wi-Fi. Eighty-three percent of Americans agree that using someone else’s Wi-Fi without their knowledge is stealing. Respondents do not approve of neighbors borrowing their signal and want to protect themselves from the 17 percent of Americans who see nothing wrong with using someone else’s network.
•Security is the best policy. Americans are keeping themselves safe by activating their network security. Seven out of 10 respondents have enabled security on their wireless networks, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of Wi-Fi with security protections in place.

WHO:Survey respondents are representative of the total U.S. population, age 18 and older with broadband Internet access at home.

WHEN/HOW: The survey was conducted online by Kelton Research between September 29 and October 10, 2006 and included 549 nationally representative Americans. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. Chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, +/- 4.2 percentage points, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons represented by the sample.

All decimals are rounded to the nearest percentage point. This may result in certain numerical totals adding up to slightly more or slightly less than 100 percent.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 300 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance’s testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance’s certification program in March 2000, more than 3,000 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.

Media Contact:
To schedule a meeting with the Wi-Fi Alliance or receive a copy of the survey findings, contact: Dominic Ybarra, Edelman, +1 650-762-2960, dominic.ybarra@edelman.com.

AUSTIN, Texas, March 13, 2006 - The Wi-Fi Alliance announced today that the WPA2 security certification program, the second generation of Wi-Fi Protected Access, is now a mandatory feature for all new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ products, marking the next step in the evolution of Wi-Fi security. Nearly 600 products have been Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ for WPA2 since it was introduced as an optional program in September 2004, building on the existing WPA program.

Consumers and enterprise customers alike can be more confident than ever that their wireless networks are using the latest technology by insisting on Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ wireless gear. WPA2 is fully compatible with WPA, the first generation of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ security, and brings the technology two generations past WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), the original security method for Wi-Fi networks.

"By requiring WPA2 for all Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ products, we're making it easy for people to be confident that the very latest generation of security is there, built in, and ready to use," said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director Frank Hanzlik. "WPA2 helps ensure that only authorized users can access a network, and that the data they send and receive can't be compromised."

"Elevating the requirements for certification ensures users have access to the very latest security technology," said Craig Matthias, a Principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group in Ashland, MA. "With nearly 600 products implementing and certifying WPA2 certification before it became mandatory, the industry has demonstrated its overwhelming support for this standard and desire to deliver on end-user expectations for security and authentication."

A complete list of certified products incorporating WPA2 can be seen by visiting www.wi-fi.org. A white paper titled Deploying Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 in the Enterprise is also available for free download.

More on WPA2

WPA2 is based upon the full IEEE 802.11i standard, including the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is "government-grade" data encryption developed by the U. S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. WPA2 can be configured to support the earlier WPA security protocol.

There are two types of WPA2: Personal and Enterprise. The WPA2-Personal implementation, designed for consumer use, encrypts data with AES and uses a password to establish access to the Wi-Fi network.

WPA2-Enterprise encrypts data with AES and verifies the identity of network users using Extensible Authentication Protocol, or EAP. The WPA2-Enterprise program includes testing for five widely-deployed EAP types to cater to a variety of usage scenarios and device types.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit industry association of more than 250 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance's testing and certification programs ensure the interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification program in March 2000, more than 2,500 products have been designated as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, encouraging the expanded use of Wi-Fi products and services across the consumer and enterprise markets.

Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ logo, and the Wi-Fi logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. WMM, WPA, WPA2, Wi-Fi ZONE, and the Wi-Fi Alliance logo are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

For more information, contact: Edelman for Wi-Fi Alliance: Michael Diamond, michael.diamond@edelman.com, 650-429-2772.

Mountain View, CA, February 3, 2004 - The Wi-Fi Alliance announced today that over 175 products from over 40 of the worlds leading technology manufacturers have received Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security certification since testing began in April of 2003. WPA is the current state-of-the-art wireless LAN security technology. The Wi-Fi Alliance has taken the proactive move of requiring WPA for all Wi-Fi certifications awarded since September 2003. A useful online resource for Wi-Fi Protected Access security can be found at www.wi-fi.org/wpa.

Wi-Fi Protected Access is the security replacement for WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). Since WEP can be compromised, it should not be considered a secure mechanism to protect Wi-Fi wireless LAN traffic. The Wi-Fi Alliance recommends that WPA be enabled in wireless LAN applications where data security is a concern. WPA has proven to be a very secure and easily implemented security solution. WEP should only be used when a more secure wireless LAN security solution is not available.

Wi-Fi Protected Access meets the wireless LAN security needs of both enterprises and individuals, said Wi-Fi Alliance Managing Director, Frank Hanzlik. This is a very robust, cross vendor interoperable security technology that is both easier to install than its flawed predecessor WEP and far more secure. The Wi-Fi Alliance recommends that WEP be dropped in favor of WPA for applications as soon as feasible.

Wi-Fi Protected Access establishes a strong foundation for secure wireless LAN connections. There are also plans to add additional security capabilities to WPA with the next version of WPA called WPA2. Products certified for WPA2 are anticipated to be available in the middle of 2004. However, users need not wait for WPA2. WPA2 is an enhancement, but most business and personal security needs are met by WPA today, Hanzlik added.

Industry analysts have also found that Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wi-Fi certification have had a positive impact on the security of Wi-Fi technology. Synergy Research has observed that, Until recently, depressed IT spending had a significant negative impact on the market for enterprise wireless products.† Furthermore, security has also been a major concern with Enterprise IT professionals, which has also slowed adoption. However, now that the Wi-Fi Protected Access security solution is available, Synergy has seen a marked increase in Enterprise WLAN sales.

The first WPA certifications were announced in April of 2003, and the certification saw very rapid adoption by wireless LAN vendors prior to it becoming a mandatory feature in September 2003. The Wi-Fi Alliance made Wi-Fi Protected Access security a requirement for Wi-Fi certification due to the importance of security to the end users. It is also important to recognize that Wi-Fi certification is the only way to be sure that wireless LAN products from different vendors and even the same vendor will work together.

The Wi-Fi Alliance currently performs four independent interoperability certifications including IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and Wi-Fi Protected Access in addition to a combination of all of these technologies. Wi-Fi Protected Access has been required for all certification combinations since September of 2003. A searchable database of Wi-Fi Alliance certifications can be found at www.wi-fi.org/certified_products.

Products awarded the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ logo have undergone rigorous independent testing at one of four labs in Tokyo, Japan; San Jose, California; Winnersh, UK; or Taipei, Taiwan. The Wi-Fi interoperability certification program has become the international standard for providing high-quality interoperability testing for IEEE 802.11-based products.

Companies obtaining Wi-Fi Protected Access product certification include:

See Wi-Fi at CeBIT

Wi-Fi-based wireless LANs will be on display at CeBIT (Hall 13, Wireless Area Network Exchange Pavilion, Stand #D37, Booth #C6), March 18-24, 2004, at the Hannover Fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany.

About the Wi-Fi Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance (formerly WECA) is the global Wi-Fi organization that created the Wi-Fi brand. A nonprofit organization, the Alliance was formed in 1999 to certify interoperability of IEEE 802.11 products and to promote them as the global, wireless LAN standard across all market segments.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has instituted a test suite that defines how member products are tested to certify that they are interoperable with other Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ products. These tests are conducted at an independent laboratory.

Membership in the Wi-Fi Alliance is open to all companies that support the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. The Wi-Fi Alliance now comprises over 200 members from the worlds leading companies. These companies offer over 1,000 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ products. For more information, please visit www.wi-fi.org, and for information on Wi-Fi ZONE public access locations go to www.wi-fizone.org.

Background Information:

WPA Security White Paper: www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/pdf/Whitepaper_Wi-Fi_Security4-29-03.pdf
WPA Q&A: www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/pdf/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access_QA.pdf
WPA Overview: www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/pdf/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access_Overview.pdf
WPA Home Overview: www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/pdf/WPA_Home_Overview.pdf

Press and analyst contact:

C. Brian Grimm
Wave Communications
for Wi-Fi Alliance
910.686.0870
briang@wavecoms.com