Boingo’s Encrypted VPN Protects Laptop Users Against Public Wi-Fi Hackers
LOS ANGELES – Nov. 2, 2012 – Boingo Wireless (NASDAQ: WIFI), the Wi-Fi industry’s leading provider of software and services worldwide, announced today the availability of its latest Wi-Finder app for Macbook and Windows laptop and netbook users. The updated version of the award-winning app includes the Boingo VPN (virtual private network) to help protect users against security exploits in public Wi-Fi hotspots.
Boingo’s VPN – previously launched on iOS apps – provides an easy-to-use security solution that can help users protect themselves from common security exploits. With one click, users can encrypt their Wi-Fi connection and protect their personal data. The Boingo VPN uses nearly a dozen VPN servers worldwide to improve performance by delivering service in closest proximity to the user. The VPN uses a customer’s Boingo account to authenticate in one simple step, and the service is free to all Boingo Wi-Fi users who have set up an account.
“Since we launched the Boingo VPN for our iOS customers this summer, we’ve seen nearly 20 percent of all iOS sessions protected with our simple security solution,” said Dawn Callahan, vice president of consumer marketing for Boingo Wireless. “Nearly a third of the devices seeking Wi-Fi in our venues are laptops, and we want to ensure that these users can also take advantage of our intuitive VPN and feel secure connecting at any Wi-Fi location.”
Security threats on open, public Wi-Fi networks continue to increase, and many people report feeling unsafe when surfing unsecured online. A recent study conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 90% of Americans do not feel completely safe from hackers, viruses and malware while online, and more than a quarter of those surveyed reported that they’d been notified that their personal data had been exposed in the last year.
In addition to the Boingo VPN, the Wi-Finder app for Mac and Windows maintains the ability to connect to Boingo and partner hotspots with a single click. The app’s location directory also includes more than 150,000 free, crowd-sourced hotspots that have been validated by Wi-Finder users, helping users find a reliable hotspot when they need a connection the most. The enhanced Wi-Fi location directory provides a color-coded rating system for hotspots, providing an at-a-glance assessment of a hotspot’s quality.
Boingo’s Wi-Finder app received the 2012 About.com Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Travel” app, and the company has twice received the award for “Best Wi-Fi Service” from Global Traveler magazine.
About Boingo Wireless
Boingo Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: WIFI), the world’s leading Wi-Fi software and services provider, makes it easy, convenient and cost-effective for people to enjoy Wi-Fi access on their laptop or mobile device at more than 600,000 hotspots worldwide. With a single account, Boingo users and Boingo’s wholesale partners can access the mobile Internet via Boingo Network locations that include the top airports around the world, major hotel chains, cafés and coffee shops, restaurants, convention centers and metropolitan hot zones. Boingo, through its Concourse Communications Group subsidiary, operates Wi-Fi and/or Cellular DAS networks at large-scale venues worldwide such as airports, major sporting arenas, malls, and convention centers, as well as restaurants and retail establishments. The company’s Cloud Nine media platform enables brand advertisers to reach a captive audience through high engagement Wi-Fi sponsorships. For more information about Boingo, please visit http://www.boingo.com and http://cloudnine.com.
Contact:
Katie O’Neill
Boingo Wireless, Inc.
Phone: 310-689-1163
Email: koneill@boingo.com
Boingo, Boingo Wireless, the Boingo Wireless Logo and Don’t Just Go. Boingo are registered trademarks of Boingo Wireless, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods. These forward-looking statements include the quotations from management in this press release, as well as any statements regarding Boingo’s strategic plans and future guidance. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Since forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, as well as other risk and uncertainties described more fully in documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Boingo’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on April 13, 2012. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.