Security Threat Seemingly Possible on Social Networks

According to the security researchers at WorkLight, a Web security company, social networking sites like LinkedIn and Facebook are becoming more and more important to businesses and individuals, but they can also jeopardize the security of individuals and corporate if not properly monitored. Vnunet published this in news on June 23, 2008.

The new trend thus gives rise to unpleasant corporate data problems of both unauthorized control and disclosure. This happens because organizations can hardly control the information or data their employees share over social networks for such employees generally don't distinguish between confidential and public corporate data they transmit through social networking sites.

The security researchers at WorkLight cited a surge of phishing assaults on Facebook to show how the service of social networking has taken the form of corporate security threat.

Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, David Lavenda, for WorkLight said in a statement published in Vnunet news that companies today reap substantial B2C (Business to Customers) and B2B (Business to Business) benefits with the use of social networking websites to promote their goods and services and raise sales. Therefore, given that phishers increasingly target Facebook users, it is absolutely essential to maintain protected access to such social networking sites.

Security experts have long classified Facebook as a "greynet" that relates to Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and web-based services. It uses programs that are hard to scan and control using conventional security and administrative software thus posing a security threat. Historically, the site has been continuously suffering from phishing attacks that steal users' private information.

Meanwhile, phishers today use a variety of techniques to invade different types of accounts of unwary users. They distribute e-mails loaded with Trojan and spyware that creep into the recipients' computer to eventually obtain their private data.

However, the threat from social networking sites may expand beyond traditional cyber crime. Experts note that LinkedIn, the professional networking site, could unintentionally become a breeding ground for phishing attacks and corporate espionage.

But by analyzing new promotions and hires as a result of updated information, an organization can determine the possibilities of phishing attacks and corporate espionage.

Related article: Securities Push Up A Must For Web Companies

» SPAMfighter News - 7/10/2008