12-12-2007
SMEs offered anti-spyware advice
A number of small to medium-sized enterprises are leaving themselves vulnerable to spyware, it has been claimed.
Tony Neate, the managing director of Get Safe Online, believes that although a majority of SMEs are now aware of the significance and relevance of IT protection in the form of anti-virus protection, spyware is a less widely known threat.
Get Safe Online is the product of a partnership between a number of organisations, including businesses and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
"Over 90 per cent of small businesses now have got firewalls and anti-virus but not so many have got anti-spyware," said Mr Neate.
"Some people don't realise the difference between anti-virus and anti-spyware, which is an issue," he added.
Moreover, data released in June by Get Safe Online found that a total of 44 per cent of UK-based SMEs have found themselves the victim of criminal activity conducted over the internet.
The crimes acknowledged by the report include the theft of identities and data.