X

Survey: Web-based malware puts corporations at risk

One quarter of IT administrators surveyed say data has been compromised by a Web-based threat and one-third cite employee use of social networks and other sites at work.

Elinor Mills Former Staff Writer
Elinor Mills covers Internet security and privacy. She joined CNET News in 2005 after working as a foreign correspondent for Reuters in Portugal and writing for The Industry Standard, the IDG News Service and the Associated Press.
Elinor Mills

A new study found that 85 percent of malware is being distributed through Web applications, which is creating a growing threat for corporations as employees increasingly do online social networking, video watching, and personal e-mail at work.

Other findings of the survey, conducted by security firm Webroot, are:

•Web-borne malware increased more than 500 percent in 2007.

•One-quarter of companies report that data has been compromised by a Web-based threat.

•Nearly one-third say their Web security was compromised as a result of employees using computers at work to access social networks, Web-based e-mail, and video sites.

•15 percent enforce Internet usage policies.

About 650 information technology administrators in English-speaking countries were surveyed this summer for the study.