ICO launches Wi-Fi security resource

Privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has stepped in once again to issue best practice advice after research it commissioned found that 40 per cent of home users don't know how to change their Wi-Fi security settings.

The new ICO guidance, which is available online, explains how people can check the security settings on their Wi-Fi router and provides information on how to make the network more secure.

This includes how to set up a strong password to stop others accessing the network and ensuring that any information sent over the device is encrypted.

"People wouldn't go out and leave their front door unlocked, but many are still surfing the internet without adequate protection for their personal information," said Steve Wood, head of policy at the ICO.

"The fact that Google's Street View cars were able to pick up payload data from unsecured Wi-Fi networks as a by-product of their signals mapping exercise has further highlighted that more people need to take their Wi-Fi security settings seriously."

The new resources were welcomed by Chris Davies, UK general manager at network device manufacturer D-Link.

"There is no doubt that in the past setting up security on wireless networks could be tricky, but this is no longer the case with most wireless products. Security can be set up in a couple of minutes using set-up wizards, with no prior technical knowledge required," he added.

Although the ICO's advice is primarily targeted at home users, it could be equally applicable to very small firms, which typically don't have the security knowledge or expertise of their larger counterparts.

To this end, information security not-for-profit ISSA this week launched a new standard designed to offer best practice advice to smaller firms, which are typically faced with the same threats as larger corporates but without the resources to cope with them.