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SMEs more aware of 'cyber crimes'

Feb 01 2008

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Employers with SMEs are becoming increasingly aware of 'cyber crimes' and how to handle them, but it is still an 'issue', according to one industry expert.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says that phishing has been an problem for many businesses, but that they are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about how to spot and deal with bogus emails.

However a spokesperson for the FSB says: 'About 20 per cent of businesses were actually deterred from making greater use of online trading because of the fear of online crime and credit card fraud.'

A 'scam watch' has been set up by the FSB, so if something is noticed it can be flagged up to all members, he adds.

In August 2007, the FSB highlighted the significant numbers of SMEs being deterred from e-commerce, after a report by the House of Lords Science & Technology Committee.

Only 18 per cent of SMEs trade online despite the global market offered to businesses.

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