Free public Wi-Fi security in a smart city context-An end user perspective

With participatory action and engagement of end users (urban dwellers) playing an important role in the success of smart city initiatives, and the smart city model as a whole [1], free, public Wi-Fi hotspots are a viable option that may be employed to advance this endeavor. As end users become more reliant on the availability of these hotspots for various aspects of their everyday life, however, security becomes a prominent concern as hotspots may not only attract the attention of the end user, but also that of the abuser (cybercriminals). With various stakeholders typically involved in the delivery of smart city Wi-Fi initiatives, the question of who should be held responsible in the event of a cybercrime incurring losses to an end user while making use of the free Wi-Fi becomes of particular interest. As a result, in this chapter, various security aspects relating to smart city Wi-Fi offerings are discussed, striving to provide initial remedial recommendations from both the perspectives of the end user as well as the smart city. Further insight is also provided through a comparative analysis of the approaches taken to deliver free, public Wi-Fi in the cities of Barcelona (Spain), and Geneva (Switzerland).