Clever online criminals 'targeting new areas'

Broadband users are warned to protect their wireless network from the extended reach of online criminals, according to consumer support service Broadband Choices.

Although the public are increasingly wary of the phishing attempts made on their bank accounts, many are less aware of adapted methods to suit new areas of interest such as ebay.

Michael Phillips, product director of Broadband Choices, said: "From the surveys we have carried out from our user base I can say that users are not adequately protecting themselves.

"People are leaving their wireless network unprotected; people can be sat next door or sat outside using your network."

Research published in November 2007 by computer security firm Sophos revealed that over 50 per cent of the people polled admitted they had stolen Wi-Fi internet access from other people without paying.

According to the poll, "many internet-enabled homes fail to properly secure their wireless connection with passwords and encryption, allowing freeloading passers-by and neighbours to steal internet access rather than paying an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for their own".