Tuesday, June 21, 2005
UK Businesses 'Wide Open' to Online Threats
UK businesses could be leaving themselves open to new security and legal threats because they fail to control staff use of instant messaging . A YouGov survey has highlighted the rising use of instant messaging (IM) as a business tool. The survey of over 2,000 people around the UK found that one in five uses IM software from companies such as AOL, MSN or Yahoo! at work. However, 62 percent of companies have no policy or technology in place to protect them from IM viruses or misuse.
The survey, commissioned by Akonix Systems, which specialises in IM security tools, claims IM viruses have increased five-fold in the past year. However, another online security firm Sophos cautioned that IM threats still lag far behind email ones. It has issued warnings this year around IM viruses such as Kelvir-F and Bropia-R, but Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos, said, "We're not seeing lots of variants."
According to the YouGov survey, the heaviest users of IM are also the ones most likely to create problems. Almost a quarter (24 percent) of 18-29-year-olds use IM at work. They are the most likely group to use it to download songs or film trailers (25 percent) and forward pictures to others (45 percent). Such large files are often used to hide viruses.
The survey found that 16 percent used IM to send or receive commercially sensitive information, often to people outside their company. A full quarter admitted using it to say something their boss wouldn't approve of. However, companies could lose out if they block access to IM services. The survey found that it was often used to communicate with customers and speed up decision-making. "The software was created to be a consumer application, not a business tool," said Peter Shaw, CEO of Akonix. "It's very easy to create problems in a company; it's wide open."
Brought to you by the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Privacy Seal Program.
The survey, commissioned by Akonix Systems, which specialises in IM security tools, claims IM viruses have increased five-fold in the past year. However, another online security firm Sophos cautioned that IM threats still lag far behind email ones. It has issued warnings this year around IM viruses such as Kelvir-F and Bropia-R, but Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos, said, "We're not seeing lots of variants."
According to the YouGov survey, the heaviest users of IM are also the ones most likely to create problems. Almost a quarter (24 percent) of 18-29-year-olds use IM at work. They are the most likely group to use it to download songs or film trailers (25 percent) and forward pictures to others (45 percent). Such large files are often used to hide viruses.
The survey found that 16 percent used IM to send or receive commercially sensitive information, often to people outside their company. A full quarter admitted using it to say something their boss wouldn't approve of. However, companies could lose out if they block access to IM services. The survey found that it was often used to communicate with customers and speed up decision-making. "The software was created to be a consumer application, not a business tool," said Peter Shaw, CEO of Akonix. "It's very easy to create problems in a company; it's wide open."
Brought to you by the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Privacy Seal Program.
