A report on IT security by value-added distributor Bell Micro reveals that most UK companies are still casual in their approach towards IT security. The report, while acknowledging growing awareness of adverse implications and increases in the usage of firewalls and mail filters, points out that companies are lagging far behind in the implementation of internal security procedures.

According to the report, a large number of people receive unwanted e-mails from different sources. They do not follow secure password protocols. Nearly 56 per cent of respondents to the survey reported that their passwords commonly reflect names of family members. The report cautions that such information can easily be tracked down from social networking sites since 40 per cent of respondents are allowed access through their company sites.

Steve Browell, general manager of Bell Micr’s security division, expressed concern over the research findings. According to Browell, there is excessive reliance on non-random password protection. This can easily be hacked by collecting personal data from social networking websites.

The report reveals that 73 per cent of respondents were ready to disclose their mothers’ maiden name to researchers, not knowing that this information is traditionally used as a prompt for accessing online accounts.