Downloads put European firms at risk

Half of the 135 computer professionals surveyed admitted to regularly installing software, such as shareware, updates and patches, without the IT department’s permission. A further 46 per cent said that they download music and photos from the web and via USB devices regardless of company policy.

As a result, the number of software applications installed without the consent of the IT departments, known as greynets, has soared, according to the report.

“The fact that office workers are helping themselves to IT is unlikely to come as a surprise, although the fact that PCs are becoming home to more and more personally-installed software should be a concern to organisations,” said Matt Fisher, VP at Centennial Software.

“As the risks continue to escalate the time has come for employers to crack down on IT mavericks and close down this security loophole.”

atdiyeuropeanfirmsitputsrisksecuritystudy