Instant messaging internet programmes used by employees at work could create IT security problems for businesses, warned computer filtering firm Surf Control.
It said employees often used instant messaging programmes to get around restrictions on company email programmes, revealed a report.
Few firms currently subject instant messaging programmes to the same security procedures to stop viruses, spam or abuse by employees, said Surf Control. It warned that more firms must do more to limit the security problems that such programmes could create.
A survey by the company found that almost 40% of UK staff used instant messaging programmes while in the office.
Surf Control spokesman, Martino Corbelli, said; "As more companies crack down on misuse of email we see people moving more and more towards freer communications such as instant messaging."
According to the report, Corbelli said the risks and dangers that emerged with the early growth of the internet were happening all over again with the use of instant messaging.
Companies need to put proper risk management strategies in place to combat the potential problems that messaging programmes could create, concluded Corbelli.
