ATLANTA -- Integrated email and Internet content security provider Marshal Inc., reveals that a recent poll* on its TRACE Website shows that 48 percent of those surveyed work for companies that allow staff complete and unrestricted access to personal web-based email accounts at work.

The findings further highlight the need for businesses to understand the potential risks associated with web-based email accounts such as Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail, as these services circumvent normal email content checks. Only 33 percent of those surveyed admit to their employer banning – and enforcing with technology – the outright use of webmail, with 8 percent of respondents admitting their employer has prohibited the use of webmail, but with no technology in place.

Marshal’s CEO Ed Macnair comments, “we often ask our customers: ‘what are the legitimate business reasons for allowing employees to access personal webmail accounts at work.’ The response is often: ‘none’. There are very few business-related reasons to allow – but many reasons to deny – webmail access at work. Webmail can be a backdoor through which employees trade private company information, download or exchange inappropriate material or simply chat with their friends on company time. 48 percent of companies without measures in place to prevent these issues is far too high a figure. ”

Marshal Inc.