Trend Micro ( News - Alert), an Internet content security provider, reported today an increase in the number of employees who admit to visiting social networking sites on the Internet while connected to the corporate network, according to the results of a Trend Micro study that explores corporate computer users' perceptions of and experiences with security threats.
According to Trend Micro's recent Threat Report & Forecast, Web 2.0 threats rose in volume to over 1.5 million a month in January 2008, compared to just over 1 million in December 2007.
The study surveyed 1600 corporate end users in the U.S., U.K., Germany and Japan, and found that 19 percent (compared to 15 percent in 2007) of respondents across these countries have browsed social networking sites. These sites, usually built upon Web 2.0 technologies, are major targets for cybercriminals and malware authors who exploit their interactive nature and popularity to launch profit-driven, malicious attacks. In addition to social networking sites, blogs, wikis and collaboration tools also use Web 2.0 technologies.
During the last six to 12 months, Trend Micro threat research analysts have come across various forms of malware activities within many social networking sites. For example, one popular site was compromised in late 2007 by banner ads that install malicious files and programs onto a victim's computer. Other sites were also found to be embedded with codes that redirect users to malicious sites -- all in an effort to steal identity and private data. Moreover, social networking sites can often be a haven for adware and spyware.
"The popularity behind social networking sites makes them vulnerable targets of cybercriminals," said Raimund Genes, chief technology officer at Trend Micro. "Instead of threats being distributed as email attachments, we are seeing more of them being embedded into Web 2.0 links, many of them found on social networking sites. And, as these sites become more innovative and interactive, we expect to see more security breaches and cybercrime."
Some of the findings the study uncovered include:
- In the U.K., the percentage of end users who have visited social networking sites while on the company network increased significantly from 11 percent in 2007 to 27 percent in 2008. In Germany, the increase jumped from 9 percent in 2007 to 13 percent in 2008.
- In the U.S., U.K. and Germany, the number of end users who browse social networking sites while on the company network is increasing faster in large companies than in small companies.
- Alternatively, Japanese end users in small companies are more likely to visit social networking sites while on the company network than their counterparts in large companies.
- In the U.S., U.K. and Germany, mobile workers are more likely to visit social networking sites than desktop workers.
- Overall, 45 percent of end users said they have sent confidential information via Web mail, which is the most commonly used Web 2.0 application according to the survey. In Germany, over half of end users have used Web mail to send proprietary corporate information.
- From 2007 to 2008, the percentage of mobile end users who admitted to having sent confidential information via Web mail increased significantly in the U.K. (30 percent in 2007 and 49 percent in 2008) and Germany (51 percent in 2007 and 64 percent in 2008).
- Japanese end users are more likely than end users in other countries to spend more than one hour using Web 2.0 applications on the corporate network or while working remotely.
As an Internet content security provider, Trend Micro focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the newest Web threats.
Michelle Robart is a Contributing Editor at TMCnet. To read more of her articles please visit her columnist page.
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