IDC: Private Internet Use Insecure

COPENHAGEN -- IT analysis company IDC has recently published a new survey containing some alarming results: within the last year, almost 40% of companies questioned had experienced malicious software (malware) in the form of a computer virus or worm. And the primary source of these viruses and worms is no longer emails, but surfing on the Internet.

"There is a common misconception that emails constitute the biggest security threat from the Internet," said IDC Denmark's managing director, Per Andersen. "But the survey shows that up to 30% of companies with 500 or more staff have been infected as a result of Internet surfing, while only 20%-25% of the same companies experienced viruses and worms from emails. And the risk of infection is about a.5 times greater among companies that allow free, private use of the Internet by staff than for those that do not allow private surfing."

Some 200 Danish companies took part in the survey, carried out on behalf of software company Danware.

IDC