Small businesses stung by social-media malware

A third of small and medium businesses surveyed by Panda Security have been hit by malware from social networks, according to a study released on Wednesday.

Panda's "Social Media Risk Index for Small to Medium Sized Businesses" (PDF) also found that 35 percent of the companies hurt by social-media malware suffered financial losses, with more than a third losing in excess of $5,000. Further, a quarter of the businesses said they lost sensitive data due to employees who violated company policy by revealing certain information via a social network.

Among social networks, Facebook took the dubious honor of being the top spot for malware infections (71 percent) and privacy violations (73 percent). Next on the list was YouTube followed by Twitter. Those businesses that took financial losses from malware attacks also tagged Facebook as the most problematic site, followed by Twitter, YouTube, and finally LinkedIn.

For more of this story, read Social-media malware hurting small businesses on CNET News.