Despite the growth in home working using internet connections to business servers, many employees do not have a clear understanding of the security risks that can affect them online, it has been suggested.

According to the National Computing Centre (NCC), wireless connections are the most vulnerable web connection to use for business.

The tech group recently noted that small businesses are often very secure on a wired line since they are experienced in keeping hackers out of these connections.

But wireless is more complicated to secure, said NCC spokesperson Michael Dean.

"Wireless itself can be hacked into so you do need to ensure that you have got the right levels of security. People can intercept your communications if you've not got the appropriate levels of security," he said.

Confidential client information is among the most coveted data targeted by hackers and, along with business critical data, could be at-risk on a wireless connection.

Mr Dean urged people with wireless connections to ensure that they change the default settings and set new passwords, while noting that for some firms this still would not provide adequate protection for sensitive data.