According to a survey of 2000 Internet users, 7 percent of all households now have a home Wi-Fi network. The study, conducted by Strategy Analytics, discovered the U.S. leads with 8.4 percent penetration, and the Nordic region follows with 7.9 percent.

Kaspersky Lab recently reported 49 percent of Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to attack. The reason for this vulnerability? The networks do not use data encryption. Another study, conducted by RSA Security, shows 25 percent of corporate Wi-Fi networks pose a security risk. Using VPN can eliminate security risks, such as hacking and viruses. (In case you’re curious, all WEBbeams hotspots have VPN security!) An article in the Business Journal this month looked specifically at hotspots in downtown Milwaukee. Of at least 590 wireless access points, the Business Journal found only 40 percent were secure, while the remaining 60 percent were vulnerable to security problems. The article points out some of these problem hotspots, some of which are located nearby WEBbeams hotspots. Check out the article here.

The Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan has developed a wireless mouse that can be worn on your wrist. You simply move your hand around to pay video games or give presentations. According to a report in Taiwan Economic News, the mouse uses one twentieth of the power of an average optical mouse. It is currently being developed for sale.

According to the New York Times, flight attendants will soon use wireless, hand-held credit card/debit card machines in flight. The machines, which operate via Wi-Fi, will cut down on hassles created when customers want to purchase beverages or meals with large bills or international currency.

eHealth Solutions recently added RFID (radio frequency identification) to its suite of offerings for long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes. The Wi-Fi-enabled system allows staff to access patient and clinical data using PDAs and other handheld devices. It also allows staff to stay aware of patients’ location and movement using wristbands. The wristbands, worn by patients, use RFID tags and will alert staff when a resident enters or leaves an area or remains motionless for a period of time. The tags can be made resident specific. For instance, staff may wish to closely monitor the whereabouts of patients with dementia who are prone to wander off.

WEBbeams will be exhibiting and presenting at next month's Fresh Cup Roadshow in Minneapolis. The show, located at the Hyatt Regency, takes place July 22 and 23. WEBbeams will be at location #213, and Brian Van Lieshout will present "Wi-Fi Technology for Your Coffeehouse" on Sunday at noon. If you'd like free tickets to the Fresh Cup Roadshow, e-mail sales@webbeams.com. To learn more about the event, visit www.freshcuproadshow.com.