Businesses shun Web 2.0 security: survey

Businesses are shunning Web 2.0 specific security, according to recent research.

The survey of about 50 IT managers, system analysts and “high-level decision makers” conducted at a security conference this month claimed some 92 percent of respondents grant staff access to Web 2.0services, while 71 percent said the applications are security risks.

Some 47 percent of respondents said they will not increase their security spend despite the Web 2.0 threats.

Elcom CEO John Anstey said security of Web 2.0 technologies needs to improve.

"I think the current economic situation we find ourselves in could well be a mitigating factor in companies' hesitation on spending more, despite the threat,” Anstey said.

“What this does is elevate the risk level for everyone, so as an industry we have to stay on our guard and make sure we continue to follow best practices when it comes to developing Web platforms and deploying Web 2.0 applications.”

Websense local country manager Phil Vasic said attacks on Web 2.0 services have increased over the last six months.

“We're seeing an increase in cybercriminals taking advantage of the growing number of Web 2.0 properties that allow user-generated content,” Vasic said.

“More than ever we're seeing attackers inject Web sites with links and iframes to direct users to malicious and compromised sites with the ultimate purpose of stealing data.”

The most popular Web 2.0 applications, according to respondents, are social networking, wikis and blogs.

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