Social Networking Can Endanger Corporate Network
Trend Micro Incorporated (TSE: 4704), a global leader in Internet content security, reported today an increase in the number of employees who admit to visiting social networking sites on the Internet while connected to the corporate network, according to the results of a Trend Micro study that explores corporate computer users’ perceptions of and experiences with security threats.
The study, which surveyed 1,600 corporate end users in the US, UK, Germany and Japan, found that 19 percent (compared to 15 percent in 2007) of respondents across these countries have visited social networking sites. These sites, usually built upon Web 2.0 technologies, are prime targets for cybercriminals and malware authors who exploit their interactive nature and popularity to launch profit-driven, malicious attacks.
“The popularity behind social networking sites makes them vulnerable targets of cybercriminals,” said Raimund Genes, chief technology officer at Trend Micro. “Instead of threats being distributed as email attachments, we are seeing more of them being embedded into Web 2.0 links, many of them found on social networking sites. And, as these sites become more innovative and interactive, we expect to see more security breaches and cybercrime.”
The survey found that:
– In the U.K., the percentage of end users who have visited social networking sites while on the company network increased significantly from 11 percent in 2007 to 27 percent in 2008. In Germany, the increase jumped from 9 percent in 2007 to 13 percent in 2008.
– In the U.S., U.K. and Germany, the number of end users who browse social networking sites while on the company network is increasing faster in large companies than in small companies.
Source: examiner.com
Filed under Social networking Software