Spyware threat is growing claims PCWB

Research reveals that one in two UK businesses have been affected by spyware

One in two UK businesses have been affected by spyware while 14 per cent admitted they were unaware of spyware and its effects, according to research published today by PC World Business (PCWB).

The research found that 26 per cent of businesses surveyed said they were unsure if they were protected from attacks, while two in five IT managers stated that their staff were unaware of the types of website from which spyware can be picked up.

“We’re more worried about the 54 per cent of businesses that report no affect,” said Richard Harrison services director of PCWB. “The nature of spyware is that it is mostly invisible and it is likely that many thousands of UK businesses are being impacted by malicious software without any knowledge of it.”

Spyware is typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from websites. However nearly half of UK businesses do not educate staff about the risks of spyware or impose safeguards to avoid websites where spyware can be downloaded, said PCWB.

“At its worst, spyware can effectively steal the crown jewels of a business from under its nose,” said Harrison. “There’s no obvious sign, no fingerprints or CCTV footage — it’s a remote and stealthy threat that all businesses should put at the top of their security risk list.”

Of the businesses that reported being affected by spyware, 28 per cent stated that it took up to one hour to get rid of the problem, while 10 per cent said that it took between two hours and one day to get rid of spyware software from their business IT network.

The future outlook didn't appear good with 79 per cent of the IT professionals surveyed predicting that spyware attacks will get worse in the coming years