Public hotspots failing to block porn

Researchers found adult content freely available at public hotspots

The majority of wireless hotspot providers in London do not filter traffic for pornography or illicit content, according to an investigation by network integrator Telindus. 

Researchers discovered that 80 per cent of the hotspots they visited provided access to adult content, and that bomb-making instructions were freely downloadable.

Only one of the locations tested was a free internet access portal, with all the others charging.

James Walker, mobility specialist at Telindus, claimed that he was amazed by the results. "We were expecting to uncover a few surprises, but nothing in this league," he said.

"You would not expect café owners to leave porn mags on tables, so how come they let us access adult content using their hotspots?"

The team of researchers used a list of 12 sites and search terms at a number of locations offering internet access from various providers.

All of the sites allowed users to search for 'massage parlour London', 'escorts London' and 'anthrax source'.

Researchers could also freely access adult images sent to Hotmail or Gmail accounts, and 80 per cent of the hotspots allowed access to porn sites. 

Those in search of 'Viagra' or 'how to make bomb' would find the information freely available.

All of the hotspots included an acceptable use policy, but only one actually blocked access to sites that contravened the terms and conditions.

Walker suggested that companies providing public internet access need to review their policies.

"Although the ISP may publish an [acceptable use policy] it is obvious that they are not doing anything to enforce them and it is the retailer who is ultimately legally responsible for what its patrons access over the web," he said.

Walker maintained that users routinely monitor internet access at home and in the workplace, and that the same should go for public areas.

"Imagine your child popping into a coffee shop or fast food chain with their laptop and being able to access adult content," he said. "Surely it should not be allowed."

A recent survey found that just under 40 per cent of British males visited pornographic websites in 2005.