Caterer and Hotelkeeper's Alix Young reports that broadband tech company iBAHN says more than half of business travellers worry about wireless security when using Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, hotels and coffee shops.

Still, Young notes that Shire Hotels Group, which recently installed Wi-Fi in all its hotels, doesn't seem to be concerned. "In the main, we don't find that customers are worried about safety and security, but a few companies do insist on hard-wired connections, and we offer modem access in that case," says company Marketing Director jane Waterworth.

"Wi-Fi security has been put in place in every Shire hotel to allow only traffic to and from the Internet, not peer to peer, so individuals' details and communications stay private," Young writes. "Access to the system is through a password system -- given to guests during check in."