Half of business travelers worried by hotspot security

Public Wi-Fi hotspots, in places such as airports, hotels, railway stations and coffee bars, have been available for some time, but 55 percent of respondents claimed they still have concerns about data security.

Nearly a third (30 percent) of the 150,000 people polled by the survey, conducted by wireless ISP iBAHN, admitted that using a public hotspot troubled them, while a further 20 percent claimed they were nervous about using an unfamiliar wireless internet provider.

The study also found that 68 percent of respondents claimed to own a wireless-enabled device, which they use on secure wireless networks. An additional 21 percent said they currently do not have a wireless-enabled device but plan to purchase one in the next twelve months.

Graeme Powell, European managing director of iBAHN, said: "The demands of global business means that business travellers have to connect to the internet while on the move, and it is essential that companies put internal Wi-Fi policies in place for mobile workers accessing hotspots and educate them on security, preferred providers and billing issues."