Social networking websites such as Facebook and MySpace pose a potential security risk for businesses due to the fact that they can contain sensitive information that could be exploited by criminals.
IT experts at Sophos warn that many Facebook users could be jeopardising the security of the companies they work for by including certain information on their profiles. The concern is that this data could be used to commit fraud by online cybercriminals.
In a survey carried out by Sophos, 41 per cent of respondents stated that they were prepared to divulge sensitive information to a stranger, sparking fears over security.
A separate poll found that 43 per cent of workers have been denied access to Facebook while seven per cent have had their Facebook usage restricted to specific business requirements.
Graham Cluley of Sophos urges employers to ensure that their workers do not pose a security risk when using social networking sites.
"If workers are allowed to be given access to these sites, then it's imperative they are taught best practice to ensure they are not putting their personal and corporate data at risk," he told Personnel Today.
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