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Secure Computing Announces Results Of Independent Survey
SecurityProNews
Staff Writer
2004-08-31
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Secure Computing finds 70 percent of IT managers say spyware is "no problem" or "minor problem".
Secure Computing today announced the results of an independent survey documenting the attitudes of enterprise IT managers about the dangers of emerging Internet-based threats such as spyware, peer-to-peer file-sharing software, instant messaging (IM), and personal e-mail accounts resulting from unauthorized employee activities. The survey, titled "Hidden Hazards: Business Attitudes Toward New Internet Security Threats" was conducted for Secure Computing by TheInfoPro, Inc., an independent research firm. The study surveyed 111 enterprise IT managers across a broad variety of industries in February 2004.
Among the report's findings were that only 25 percent of businesses recognized spyware as a major problem -- despite widespread warnings about such software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge. A study by EarthLink showing that the average PC has 28 spyware programs, and a report by Dell found that spyware accounts for 12 percent of all PC desktop support calls. Still, 70 percent of the survey respondents saw spyware as either no problem or a minor problem.
Spyware is often acquired unwittingly by employees when they install peer-to-peer file sharing applications. The RIAA has already pursued legal action against an Arizona company, winning a $1 million settlement after employees were found to have downloaded thousands of music files on company computers. Yet 90 percent of businesses saw file-sharing software as not a major problem, and a surprising 40 percent saw it as "no problem."
Instant messaging and personal e-mail accounts are often cited by security experts as sources of data loss, information leaks and the backdoor entrance into networks for viruses and worms. A 2004 study by the Opinion Research Corporation found that 62 percent of respondents who use IM at work do so for non-work reasons. Yet 90 percent saw IM as no problem or a minor problem, and 80 percent felt personal e-mail accounts were no problem or a minor problem.
Most companies are attempting to address these security threats primarily with workplace policies, and some also use software tools and procedures. Over 80 percent of employers have policies addressing spyware and e-mail, and nearly 70 percent of employers have policies covering instant messaging and file-sharing software.
Although policies are the method of choice for many companies, there are technological solutions that can prevent spyware, file-sharing programs, instant messaging, and personal e-mail accounts. Secure Computing's SmartFilter Web filtering applications protect organizations from risks associated with employee Internet use. SmartFilter helps reduce legal liability and limit exposure to security risks such as spyware and file-sharing, while increasing productivity and preserving bandwidth for business related activities. SmartFilter offers one of the largest and most accurate databases of Web content, featuring over six million sites in 62 granular categories. The SmartFilter v4 SL Control List addresses the newest security, productivity, and liability threats with a new set of categories, including instant messaging, Web e-mail, file-sharing, and spyware. SmartFilter is available on many leading platforms, including Secure's Sidewinder G2 Security Appliance line, which also includes the world's strongest firewall, embedded anti-virus and anti-spam filtering, VPN services, and application attack protections.
"Enterprises of all sizes can benefit from Web filtering software, not just to block out pornography, but to protect against other online security threats such as phishing, malicious code, spyware, and hacking sites," said Steve Miller, vice president of worldwide marketing for Secure Computing. "With a wide selection of integrations -- both On-Box and off-box, and a superb filtering database, Secure Computing can meet the Internet management needs of organizations both large and small."
About the Author:
SecurityProNews is a daily online and email publication focusing on internet security issues.
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