Posted on 07 Feb 2009 by Sam

A newly published survey by Edinburgh-based IT company Easy PC Scotland today reveals that 40% of PC users risk the theft of vital personal information by failing to secure their wireless internet connections.

Of the 2367 connections scanned by the home and business IT experts, 943 were found to have no protection against hackers – leaving the owners open to privacy invasion and, worse, theft.

With simple and readily available software, even amateur hackers can eavesdrop on an unsecured connection’s activities, and view anything from emails and passwords to financial transactions and bank account details. This leaves anyone with an unsecured connection vulnerable to fraud.

Easy PC Scotland’s Managing Director, Stuart Gilbertson, said; “If home users do not protect their wireless networks, they are effectively leaving their back door open to burglars. It’s frightening to think that so many people are putting themselves at such risk.”

The good news is that securing a wireless connection is both easy and inexpensive. Gilbertson added; “One of our engineers can secure a network in around 15 minutes, and it costs very little – although, what price do you put on you and your family’s security?”

Computer support and consultancy company Easy PC Scotland specialise in home and business IT solutions with a personal service, and are currently offering a special deal on securing wireless networks to help build awareness of the problem among its clients.

“It’s a major issue, and at Easy PC Scotland we think it’s essential that wireless network security is as affordable as possible for our clients,” Gilbertson said, “I see it as our duty to help eliminate this problem and make wireless browsing safer and more secure for everyone.”