Webroot Warns Small and Medium-Sized Businesses of Massive Risks Posed by Spyware

BOULDER, Colo., — Webroot Software, Inc., the leading provider of anti-spyware software for the enterprise, SMBs and consumers, today announced the release of “Spyware & Small Business”, an informative guide developed exclusively for small and medium-sized businesses to educate and inform them on the massive risks spyware poses to their company’s networks and assets.

Webroot warns that SMBs are especially attractive to spyware criminals due to their often limited IT resources and lack of network security. According to a survey of SMBs conducted by Webroot, more than 50 percent of small and medium-sized businesses experienced a spyware attack during the first quarter of 2006. The ramifications of these spyware attacks on the businesses themselves were particularly disturbing. Of those attacked, 63 percent experienced slowed system performance, 56 percent reported a reduction in employee productivity, 34 percent experienced a negative impact on their bottom line and 20 percent reported a loss in sales.

“Spyware criminals seek the path of least resistance and unfortunately, SMBs often offer that path due to limited resources and inadequate security measures,” said David Moll, CEO of Webroot Software. “Larger enterprise organizations have extensive internal IT departments, deep revenue sources and can publicly be held accountable to millions of stockholders and customers should a data security breach occur. Cyber criminals are very aware of this difference between the security measures deployed by enterprises and SMBs, and leverage it to their own benefit.”

Webroot also cautions in the guide that SMBs have more to lose in a spyware attack than the average larger enterprise. Since spyware criminals are financially motivated, most are interested in stealing any information that could benefit them financially – personal customer data, payroll information, bank account numbers, network passwords, etc. While most enterprises could survive a spyware attack that for example, resulted in the loss of $50,000 in sales, SMBs often operate under extremely limited profit margins, meaning a single spyware attack could easily dismantle an entire business.

“A recent survey conducted by the FBI estimated that the costs posed by computer crime to U.S. businesses could be as high as $62 billion,” added Moll. “With SMBs accounting for 99.7% of U.S.-based employers, the potential impact on the overall economic stability of the nation is staggering. The IT security industry has to extend its focus beyond just enterprises and consumers and work diligently to serve the security needs of the SMB market. We hope this guide serves as a step in the right direction.”

Webroot’s “Spyware & Small Business” guide is available for download at www.webroot.com/smbfacts.


ABOUT WEBROOT
Webroot Software, Inc. is the creator and publisher of the award-winning Spy Sweeper line of anti-spyware products for consumers, small businesses and enterprises worldwide. Based in Boulder, Colo., the company is privately held and backed by some of the industry’s leading venture capital firms, including Technology Crossover Ventures, Accel Partners and Mayfield. Webroot’s software consistently receives top ratings and recommendations by respected third-party media and product reviews, and has been adopted by millions globally. Spy Sweeper and other Webroot products can be found online at www.webroot.com and on the shelves of leading retailers throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Webroot products are also available as either branded solutions or on an OEM basis. To find out more about Webroot, visit www.webroot.com or call 1-800-772-9383.

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