Sophos claims security risks stem from social media
Mon, 16 Nov 2009
Hackers are increasingly attacking social networking websites, it has been claimed.
According to Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security software and hardware company Sophos, businesses and home computer users must be aware of this growing threat.
The majority of hackers are aiming to steal personal information or distribute malicious software and spam, it has been claimed.
For companies whose employees enjoy using social media sites, the comments may cause some alarm.
Mr Cluley provided an example of the chaos hackers are able to cause on social networks, saying that in 2008 he found he was able to access any Facebook user's date of birth, even where the individual had asked the site to conceal personal information.
He added: "Research we conducted earlier this year found 66 per cent of companies believe workers are putting their firm at risk through their use of social networks.
"We revealed just how many people say they have been spammed [34 per cent], phished [21 per cent], or sent viruses [21 per cent] on a social network."
US singer and entertainer Britney Spears saw her Twitter and MySpace accounts hacked into last week, it was widely reported.
Posted by Jenny Arthur
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