Executive summary of the Study
on security in wireless networks (Wifi)
in Spanish households
Annual report 2011 (8th wave)
Objectives and methodology
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
To investigate
the spread of
wireless networks and users'
connection preferences.
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.
Online panel Quarterly surveys of users with Wifi connections OPINION
STUDY METHODOLOGY
n = 3,655 (3rdquarter 2011) n = 23,927 (from Oct. 2009)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 2011.
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 .
Contents
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Main results
Spread of wireless networks
Habits of use
Security measures employed
Security incidents
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
Spread of wireless networks
Evolution in the use of Wifi wireless networks (%)
75.8% 79.1% 24.2% 20.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2011Q3 2011Q2
I connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi wireless network
I don't connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi wireless network
75.8% 79.1% 24.2% 20.9% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2011Q3 2011Q2
I connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi wireless network
Spread of wireless networks
Evolution of Internet connection points via Wifi wireless networks
(possibility of multiple responses) (%)
74.1% 25.2% 11.9% 68.7% 21.2% 11.7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Own connection (router) Public network (town halls, cafes, etc.)
The network of another individual user (friend,
neighbour, etc.) 2011Q2 2011Q3 2011Q3 2011Q2
Habits of using Wifi wireless networks
Evolution in the use of connections in public places (%)
44.8% 42.9% 37.0% 37.8% 18.2% 19.3% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2011Q2 2011Q3
When I need to, anywhere I only do it for certain operations Only if the network needs a password for access
Security measures used in Wifi networks
Evolution of security systems on Wifi wireless networks (%)
34.2% 9.1% 6.2% 30.0% 20.3% 19.9% 11.0% 17.2% 20.2% 13.2% 12.3% 6.4% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 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 2011Q2 2011Q3 2011Q3 2011Q2
Security incidents
Evolution of users suffering a Wifi intrusion (%)
11.7% 14.0% 88.3% 86.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2011Q3 2011Q2
I suspect I have suffered a Wi-Fi intrusion I don't suspect I have suffered a Wi-Fi intrusion
11.7% 14.0% 88.3% 86.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2011Q3 2011Q2
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.
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