Abstract

The benefit of using WiFi for Internet connection is obvious: cost-effective and powerful. WiFi gives us the flexibility and convenience of not being tied to a fixed location. Nowadays, more and more electronic devices and gadgets, such as mobile phones, cameras, gaming devices, TV and entertainment equipment, are WiFi enabled. WiFi also enables your devices to share files instantly. WiFi broadcasting devices, such as Chromecast, give you extra convenience by allowing you to stream video and audio contents from your mobile phone to your TV using WiFi connection. However, this kind of flexibility and convenience comes with a cost. Sharing files, streaming contents or even accessing the Internet via WiFi means signals are being transmitted and they can be captured by anyone with a computer or mobile phone installed with appropriate software. Therefore, it is important to let WiFi users know their security risks and how to minimize them. Educating WiFi users to reduce the WiFi security risk is one of our on-going missions. Basing on empirically collected data, this paper is report of a comprehensive study on the use of WiFi and WiFi networking and the knowledge of WiFi users of the risks and security issues involved in using WiFi in Hong Kong. Findings of the study highlight the WiFi security knowledge gaps of the users in Hong Kong so that stakeholders can take action to improve Internet security by eliminating the security gaps identified.

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