AVG (AU/NZ) Alerts Businesses to the Threats Created by Staff Using Their Own

AVG Pty Ltd, the distributor of the award-winning AVG anti-virus and Internet security software in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, warns the BYOD 'Bring Your Own Device' to work phenomenon is catching SMBs off guard and exposing them to malware attacks and other cyber crime.

The trend, dubbed by analysts as the 'consumerisation of IT', has seen staff in rapidly growing numbers bringing their own mobile devices to work and using them for business purposes. AVG says companies of all sizes should be re-evaluating how they protect business-critical data and manage IT equipment use.

One of the major factors in this area is the meteoric rise in popularity of the tablet PC. The use of iPads, Blackberry Playbooks and all manner of Android-powered mobile devices is catching the comparatively slower moving business IT world off guard.

How employees use tablets

AVG warns that too few companies have policies governing how employees use tablets and smartphones. Workers are bringing these devices into the workplace and connecting them to the company's Wi-Fi network. This not only provides them with access to the Internet, nevertheless it as well allows the workers to synchronise these devices with company computers. All of this is happening without any additional layers of security control being put in place to lock down their impact.

Lloyd Borrett, Security Evangelist at AVG, said, "With tablet PCs and smartphones now starting to populate SMB offices and operations, we need to question whether workers are now replacing management and IT managers as the true IT decision makers."

Recent innovation by the Ponemon Institute on behalf of AVG Technologies has some telling indicators for the way IT is being managed. The technology found that less than half of consumers surveyed considered security features to be important when deciding which smartphone to purchase. Only 19 per cent have passwords and a meagre 10 per cent have both keypad locks and passwords.

The business IT security solution must at that time include anti-virus protection, just as AVG Mobilation for Android smartphones and tablets, to automate the protection of these devices and the business data that inevitably ends up on them. This cloud-based research is simple to use, always up-to-date, plus light on device resources and battery life.

Borrett said: "If businesses work smart and use technologies like this, at that time they can keep even the newest and most unpredictable attacks in check."

To help SMBs address the policy, research and process issues involved, AVG has created the AVG Small Business Security Guide which provides some simple nevertheless effective steps small business owners can take to secure their business. Plus AVG's Business Resource Centre has a library of guides and tools that can help you protect your business from identity theft, data breaches, online banking break-ins and other computer crimes.

Based in Melbourne, AVG Pty Ltd distributes the AVG range of anti-virus and Internet Security products in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. AVG software solutions provide complete real-time protection against the malware, viruses, spam, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans, phishing and exploits used by cyber-criminals, hackers, scammers and identity thieves. AVG protects everything important and personal inside computers - documents, account details and passwords, music, photos and more - all during allowing users to work, bank, shop and play games online in safety.

AVG provides outstanding technical solutions and exceptional value for consumers, small to medium business and enterprise customers. AVG delivers always-on, always up-to-date protection across desktop, and notebook PCs, plus file and e-mail servers in the home and at work in SMBs, corporations, government agencies and educational institutions.