UK IT managers unaware of Web 2.0 security risk: survey

Seventy of top 100 sites are malware haven

Seventy of the top 100 most popular websites have hosted or directed users to malicious code, phishing, or fraud, according to new research released by security firm Websense.

The research, called Web2.0@Work, examined the rise of Web 2.0 use in businesses. It said that although Web 2.0 tools are pervasive in the workplace, many organisations are at risk from security breaches as they are ill-equipped to protect themselves from potential threats.

The survey found that just 12% of IT managers in the UK believe that the ‘dynamic web’ – the top 100 most popular sites – present the greatest security threat on the web. In reality, Websense claims, 70% of the top 100 most popular websites have hosted or directed users to malicious code, phishing, or fraud.

However, over half (57%) of those quizzed believe that Web 2.0 is necessary to their business while 75% feel under pressure to allow access to more Web 2.0 sites. The survey claimed this pressure is being applied from all levels of a company, including C-level executives.

“As more employees access Web 2.0 tools and applications to enhance their productivity at work, IT departments are currently facing a dilemma. They don’t want to restrict access to these tools yet they are finding it difficult to establish the appropriate Web 2.0 usage policies and offer guidance to their staff,” said Mark Murtagh, technical director at Websense.

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