Only one in five firms blocks access tosocial network websitesdespite them
beingincreasingly popular sources of information for
criminals.
The main threats from these sites are viruses (57%) and spam
(54%). However, financial damage from downtime and fraud are their
top concerns should IT security be breached, researchers found.
The survey of just over 1000 IT professionals in Western Europe
showed them also ignoring threats posed by network technologies
such as instant messenger and web-based e-mail in favour of more
pressing priorities.
"IT professionals often have to choose between what they know
are serious security threats and other business priorities such as
productivity and employee morale," said Toralv Dirro, security
strategist for
McAfee Avert
Lab, which commissioned the survey.
"We see usage policies used more often to bridge the gap between
what IT departments would like to block and what is practical."
Websites for music downloads and dating are the only sites on
both blocked and threat lists. The most commonly blocked sites are
dating (36%), music downloads (36%), online music communities
(24%), video content (24%) and online radio (23%).
Those thought most dangerous are music downloads (58%), dating
(56%), instant messenger (53%), social networking sites (48%) and
web-based e-mail (46%).
Sweden is the most lenient country, with 57% of IT professionals
not limiting access for their workmates. The UK was strictest, with
just 28% not locking access.