6 in 10 connect to unprotected Wi-Fi networks: Cyber Security Agency

A user accessing a public Wi-Fi network, Wireless@SG. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - An online survey released by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) on Wednesday has found that more than six in 10 respondents connected to open, non-password protected Wi-Fi networks in public places, whether or not they were familiar with the networks.

The agency surveyed 2,000 respondents aged 15 years and above on their cybersecurity awareness and habits between July and August 2016.

While the majority were concerned about the security of their financial and personal information, not all practised safe measures.

Some 86 per cent were aware of the need for strong passwords - a combination of letters, numbers and symbols - but still one in three did not manage their passwords securely.

Examples of this included storing passwords on their computer or writing them down (33 per cent), or using the same passwords for work and personal accounts (31 per cent).

Nearly half admitted that they did not conduct virus scans on their files and devices including USB drives and external hard disks before opening them as they found doing so either too time-consuming or unnecessary.

About a third of the respondents also admitted that they did not install security applications on their mobile phones. The main reasons were that they did not see the need for mobile security, felt that it took up too much storage space or that there were too many options to choose from.

The results of the survey suggest that many may not realise that such practices may pose substantial risks to the security of their personal information, the CSA said.

To demonstrate how to adopt safer security measures, CSA launched its first Live Savvy with Cybersecurity campaign with a roadshow at Toa Payoh HDB Hub on Feb 11.

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