Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Company data security may be at risk as employees fall victim to phishing scams operating on social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Such is the suggestion of vnunet.com after a number of analysts recognized a growing number of identity theft scams targeting social network users.
As such, firms are being warned that IT security and sensitive data could be compromised if usage is not monitored closely.
Facebook and other similar sites have been identified by security analysts as "greynets", the website reported.
"These are programs which pose a security risk because they are difficult to monitor and control with conventional administrative and security software," it explained.
It concluded by suggesting that the threat may go beyond phishing scams and leave businesses at risk of corporate espionage.
Using LinkedIn, rival firms can retrieve data on recent hires and initiatives by scrutinizing employees' user profile update, it suggested.
According to a recent ZDNet report, one recent Facebook phishing scam attempted to lure people in by posting a message on user's wall luring them to a false login page.
Related News:
Potential for more Twitter hacks - 1.7.2009
In the wake of some hackers gaining control of celebrity Twitter accounts, some security experts are expounding on the future of security breaches with the social networking site.
Significant increase in data breaches in 2008 - 1.7.2009
Despite more intelligent IT managers and security programs, there was a rise in data-loss incidents last year when compared to 2007.
Google one of the worst spam providers - 1.7.2009
Spamhaus has ranked Google as the third worst spam service provider, below the sites sistemnet.com.tr and hostfresh.com.
European police forces encouraged to hack? - 1.6.2009
In an effort to gain some ground on cybercriminals, it appears police forces all over Europe are being encouraged to "resort to remote searches" as another mode of surveillance, BBC News reports.
Online propaganda war escalates - 1.6.2009
More than 10,000 websites have been defaced or compromised by hackers in an effort to show their pro-Palestinian support during the ongoing Gaza Strip conflict.
