SMEs need to be more aware of anti-spyware
Dec 11 2007
SME are aware of the need for anti-virus software but less knowledgeable of other online threats, claims an industry expert.
Over 90 per cent of businesses now have anti-virus software such as firewalls, says Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online.
However, Mr Neate states that if 'all you have is anti-virus you are not safe'.
'Some people don't realise the difference between viruses and spyware, which is an issue,' he continues.
While a virus may sit on your computer and affect the runing of the machine, spyware is designed to gather personal information and send it to a third party.
'It is not a case of whether businesses are aware of online security, they are aware of some of it but not all of it,' he concludes.
Research undertaken in June 2007 revealed that 44 per cent of SMEs in the UK have been the victim of cyber crimes such as identity fraud and data theft.
The same report also showed that, of those businesses affected, 36 per cent had suffered from a computer virus.
A further 18 per cent reported being the victim of internet scams such as phishing or hacking in the past two years.
There are currently no comments on this article
Comments