Surfing at work costs UK firms millions

NEWS A study has shown UK companies are losing millions of pounds a year due to abuse of Internet access by staff. Conducted by computer security organisation, InfoSec, the findings show that on average every employee will waste at least 30 minutes a day surfing the Web for personal reasons. Of the 191 companies surveyed, 84 per cent give their employees unlimited use of the Internet. More than 8 out of ten respondents admitted using the Web for entertainment, reading news and booking holidays. InfoSec estimates that a company employing 1,000 people will lose up to £2.5m a year in wasted time and resources. One in three companies asked said they do not have a policy in place for controlling Internet use.