Viruses are a top security concern for nearly two thirds of small and medium businesses (SMBs) in the US and Europe. Despite their concerns, SMBs are less likely than their larger peers to have preventative policies in place. By Helen Beckett [Published 12/11/2010]
The survey from Trend Micro of 1500 employees found the most common forms of IT protection against data-theft malware are: installing security software, restricting Internet access and implementing security policies.
Business Link confirmed that many smaller businesses are unaware of how to keep data and IT systems safe. “As well as installing anti-virus software and a firewall, business must train their staff on correct procedures, too” advises Denis Palmer, regional at Business Link.
The findings back up the gloomy prognosis of the bi-annual Information Security Breaches Survey, conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. It reported that British businesses have been hit by a surge of security breaches over the last two years that could be costing the country several billions of pounds a year.
Top concerns
Key findings of the Trend Micro survey include:
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Malware designed to steal data (59%)
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Data leaks (56%), spyware (55%)
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Fake anti-virus software (52%)
IT staff took a drubbing in the survey with 21% of respondents believing that their IT departments could do a better job of protecting them. Another third said they felt the IT department could have done a better job educating them about data-stealing malware.
“It would not be surprising to see data-stealing malware and data leaks moving up to number one and two on this list in the next few years," said David Perry, global director of education at Trend Micro.
True stories
In mid-2009, an employee at the California firm clicked on a link in an e-mail message and ended up at a malicious website, reports Dark Reading. The site, run by online thieves, used a flaw in Internet Explorer to load a Trojan horse on the employee's system. A few days later, the thieves made off across the Internet with $447,000 from Ferma's accounts.
Security specialist SonicWall also reports seeing a shift from “simple scams, such as phishing exploits, spoofing of organisations, worms and viruses, to more sophisticated attacks shutting down network servers and cloud-based systems."
Public on alert
Cyber security remains a major concern for the UK public, with 85% of the population worried about bank card fraud and identity theft. Nearly one in 10 people in the UK switches banks or retailers because of concerns about privacy and identity protection, according the latest Unisys Security Index.
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