http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/Businesswomen+with+laptop_1071_18265952_0_0_7001003_100.jpg

Small businesses are incorrectly assuming that internet security is more an issue for large companies and are leaving themselves at risk as a result.

Research carried out by ICM for McAfee found that 47 per cent of smaller firms consider themselves too small to be at risk.

Some 58 per cent claimed they were 'unconcerned' about online crime, according to IT Pro, but 73 per cent feel that the internet is 'critical' to operations.

"Every SME, even very small ones, will have customer details or financial information that will be of use to a cyber criminal," Greg Day from McAfee told the website.

Figures from the Federation of Small Businesses, however, show that only six per cent of small businesses have experienced online fraud - with just 19 per cent perceiving it as a threat.

But Linus Gregoriadis, head of research at e-consultancy, warned that companies should not be complacent. "There is a problem out there with online fraud," he said.

According to recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).