Most businesses do not see employee use of spyware, file
sharing, and instant messaging on corporate networks as "major
problems", despite documented threats.
The disturbing findings are from a survey of firms independently
conducted on behalf of security firm Secure Computing.
The survey, "Hidden Hazards: Business attitudes toward new
internet security threats", found that only 25% of firms recognised
spyware as a major problem - despite widespread warnings about such
software that covertly gathers user information through the user's
internet connection without their knowledge. And 70% of IT managers
say spyware is "no problem" or a "minor problem".
A recent report by Dell found that spyware accounts for 12% of
all its PC desktop support calls. But still, 70% of the Secure
Computing survey respondents saw spyware as either no problem or a
minor problem.
P2P file sharing can be illegal if the music downloads or other
content are protected by copyright and not paid for, with firms
responsible if employees have downloaded the content on corporate
PCs.
But 90% of firms saw file-sharing software as not a major
problem, and a surprising 40% said it was no problem.
Instant messaging (IM) and personal e-mail accounts are often cited
by security experts as sources of data loss, information leaks and
the backdoor entrance into networks for viruses and worms.
Yet 90% of respondents said IM as no problem or a minor problem,
and 80% felt personal e-mail accounts were no problem or a minor
problem.
"Enterprises of all sizes can benefit from web filtering software,
not just to block out pornography, but to protect against other
online security threats, such as malicious code, spyware and
hacking sites," said Steve Miller, vice-president of worldwide
marketing for Secure Computing.
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