The dangers of wifi hotspots

The risk of fraud when using wireless internet hotspots is very high according to Rob Cotton, the boss of an internet security company who spoke to the Today programme on Friday.

Cyber security expert Pete Sommer explained how this particular type of crime works, saying that "your traffic does eventually get to the internet, but in the meantime it is being intercepted." He told the Today programme that "it's not the easiest type of exploit to carry out" because the perpetrator is "at some risk of being found out", however it does happen.

Mr Sommer said that people should "make some sort of risk analysis" when using these kinds of hotspots, and choose wisely which activities to carry out.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday 9 March 2013.