(Wireless News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
Webroot Software, a provider of Internet security software for the
consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, has unveiled its latest report,
"State of Internet Security: Protecting Small and Medium Businesses".

The report highlights survey results surrounding Internet security
threats among SMBs worldwide. In conjunction with the report, Webroot
has released a handbook for SMBs, "A Guide to Security for Small &
Medium Business" that provides tips and best practices for protecting
technology infrastructure and sensitive customer data from malware and
cyber criminals.

"Unlike larger corporations, SMBs often lack the monetary resources and
IT expertise to install and maintain the type of protection needed in
the face of today's growing malware threats. The real dichotomy here is
that most of these companies think the real threats are viruses and
worms, but the reality is the percentage of spyware is much higher and
growing quickly," said Peter Watkins, CEO, Webroot Software. "As a
result, these companies are easier targets for cyber criminals when
compared to larger companies with dedicated IT security resources."

Consistent around the world, SMBs make up the overwhelming majority of
the world's business landscape, totaling more than 99.5 percent of all
businesses in each country surveyed and representing more than 50
percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in each country. Because of
the sheer number of SMBs worldwide, they are easy for criminals to find
and have several consistent internal attributes that heighten their
Internet security risk, including:

- Pervasive Internet use. Seventy-seven percent of SMBs said their
success depends on the Internet.

- Home-based and remote workers. Up to 52 percent of new businesses are
home-based or remote.

- The need to store valuable customer and employee data due to online
sales.

According to the report released by Webroot, SMBs are increasingly
connected in order to do business, but there are a number of other
factors impacting their IT security, including:

- Lack of in-house security expertise.

- Limited budget and resource constraints.

- A constant struggle to keep pace with a growing mobile workforce.

- Absence of policies managing personal use of work computers.

- Increasing volume of sensitive customer and employee data.

= A rapidly evolving threat landscape.

"We're seeing a perfect storm developing that could possibly have
serious economic impact. SMBs are heavily reliant on the Internet for
their work, making them a target. Compounding matters, there has been a
183 percent increase in websites harboring spyware since January 2007,
and SMBs aren't defending themselves adequately," added Watkins. "Given
that these companies are the lifeblood of the world's leading economies
in both revenue generation and employment, we have a situation that
could expose both businesses and customers to a very real, significant
and growing threat on a global basis."

Report Highlights:

Low Awareness and Misperception of Real Problem. In all six countries
surveyed, SMBs reported viruses and worms as more of a threat than
spyware, yet last year spyware threats increased while viruses were on
the decline.

High Virus Infection Rates Despite Protection. Approximately 96 percent
of respondents reported that they have an antivirus solution installed,
but more than 60 percent of respondents in Canada, France and the U.S.
still reported a virus infection in the past year, which reflects the
need for broader protection due to the increasingly complex nature of
malware threats, and the need for someone to help manage the solution.

Lack of Policies for Perceived Threats. To the extent that SMBs view
employee errors and data theft as serious threats, 40 to 60 percent
lack a policy to restrict or monitor employees' personal use of work
computers.

Limited or No IT Staff. Approximately 40 percent of SMBs in Japan
reported having no IT department at all, while three-fourths of SMBs
surveyed have fewer than ten people in IT. The lack of in-house
security expertise helps explain why 61 percent of SMBs have never
sought information about how to properly protect customer and employee
data.

The State of Internet Security report is issued quarterly as an
in-depth review and analysis of the most pressing computer and data
security-related concerns. Each report focuses on a specific aspect of
information security, and provides industry data, trends and best
practices in light of the threat landscape. The State of Internet
Security: Protecting Small and Medium Businesses report includes survey
results of companies with five to 999 computers in six countries:
Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United
States. Webroot is also offering a companion guide called, "A Guide to
Security for Small & Medium Business" to help SMBs protect themselves.

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

((Distributed on behalf of 10Meters via M2 Communications Ltd -
http://www.m2.com))
((10Meters - http://www.10meters.com))

Copyright 2007 Wireless News

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