Constantly posting your experiences in real time to social networks is now as integral to the typical summer vacation as remembering to pack sunscreen. And of course, because roaming fees can be astronomical, depending on where one chooses to holiday, most of us will be searching out free WiFi. But connecting to a network can mean sharing much, much more than an entertaining Vine of kids building sandcastles or of that perfectly prepared margarita, even if the WiFi in question is password-protected.
"We know many consumers believe that using a password to access public WiFi means their information is safe, but that's not necessarily the case," said Fran Rosch, executive vice president, Norton Business Unit, Symantec.
So, to help keep valuable information safe, Norton is launching a new premium app called Norton WiFi Privacy. "[It] helps protect information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, and denies access to hackers who may be eavesdropping on the same network," explains Rosch.
The app, available for iOS and Android, requires a $29.99 yearly subscription, but that includes 24/7 in-app support and the company will be adding features in the coming months, such as support and protection for PCs and Macs, too.
When people are on holiday, while usually cautious about their physical possessions, they are less likely to be focused on their digital possessions and that's a worry.
According to the latest Norton WiFi Risk Report, which compiles the responses of over 9000 adults that frequently use WiFi, whether at work or relaxing, 61 per cent of all US respondents think that if a WiFi network has a password, that they're protected.
Over half of US respondents have logged into social media accounts while using an unsecure WiFi network and one in five admitted to accessing financial or banking information.
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