Web security firm ScanSafe reveals new data showing a “significant” increase in illegal download attempts over the last three months on corporate networks.
Web security firm ScanSafe has revealed its latest data showing a significant 55% increase in illegal MP3 and software download attempts over the last three months on corporate networks. The company currently processes data across more than 100 countries for millions of employees, giving it what it calls industry’s “most significant insight” into the latest trends in Web traffic and malware.
It says as people increasingly using broadband connections at home to illegally download content that many are choosing to do so in the workplace as well and that this has ramifications for their employer.
“Employees mistakenly assume they can use the Internet at work in exactly the same way as they use it at home and this is potentially one of the reasons for this steady increase in illegal download attempts over recent months,” said Spencer Parker, director of product management at ScanSafe. “Inappropriate Internet use in the workplace can put the employer at risk for legal liabilities.”
Often, an employer will be held legally responsible for any wrongful acts committed by an employee ‘in the course of their employment’. This phrase is very widely constructed – an act may be considered ‘in the course of employment’ even if it is expressly prohibited by the employer, a principle known as ‘vicarious liability’. Even if a legal claim is unsuccessful, dealing with claims can make very substantial demands on management time and involve significant legal costs.
“Downloading illegal content is a ‘double whammy’ for employers as not only does it put them at risk legally but it also puts the company network at risk of being infected with malware,” adds Parker. “A large majority of free illegal downloading websites are often riddled with malware.”
Software anti-piracy group FAST IiS says it is “concerned” by the new research.
FAST IiS Chief Executive John Lovelock explains, “Downloading what looks like free software from P2P sites is not recommended. At the very least it’s against the law if the software should be purchased and there’s a high likelihood of malware being a free and silent add-on. Compounding these issues, the entire company could be at risk if directors knowingly allow this to happen. The company and directors too could face a criminal trial with the possibility of a conviction and fine under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.”
It may be true that employees are increasingly downloading content at work, but it’s hard to take data at face value from a company with an inherent interest in inflated results that could spur new business.
Stay tuned.
Umm yea I am NOT going to download content legal or illegal off my work computer, because I don’t want to get fired.
Maybe that company should hire some decent managers. I would be more scared if everybody Playing WOW, or looking at porn.
I agree. They spit out any number they want depending on the result they’re looking for. Spin has overtaken every facet of media, if you’re not a critical thinker, you’re doomed.
This is obviously a thinly veiled attempt to scare network managers into buying ScanSafe to protect themselves from an exaggerated threat.
I’m disappointed that ZeroPaid is simply re-publishing advert disguised as a news item.