Many businesses are now embracing the benefits in social networking to bring them closer to their customers and improve brand experience. While the services have advantages they also pose risks to businesses, ranging from data disclosure to malware infection and copyright infringement.

Malware and spam – social networking sites such as Twitter are sometimes targeted to direct users to malicious links; compromising the company and spreading viruses across shared folders and removable devices, such as USB sticks.

Malicious attacks and employee misconduct – employees can provide too much personal and sensitive information, expose lapses of judgement or even deliberately attack their own employers using online platforms.

Phishing – Phishing allows criminals to gain access to a user’s login details by directing them to a fake log-in interface. This then enables access to a wealth of personal details that allows e-criminals to build a profile of the user.