The worst internet security "screw-up" possible is for those working from home to use computers or laptops without adequate firewall or virus protection, an industry expert has said.

Managing director of JB MacLean Consulting Brent MacLean said the cardinal sin that an IT technician or company could commit was looking through their company's material from outside the security of the network without proper internet protection.

"With broadband and laptops becoming widely deployed, users are accessing corporate resources from outside your logical boundary. If these machines are not properly secured, then neither is your network!" he continued.

Not disabling the account of an employee who has left the business was also highlighted as a silly move for companies to make, as remote access privileges that still existed alongside the account could lead to a disaster.

Placing trust in employees to patch their own workstations, Mr MacLean added, meant that many may not keep security at its peak and could lead to another problem in the office.

Recently, the US Department for Homeland Security recommended that that White House form a new office to deal with the threat of cyber attacks on government systems due to the sheer volume of attempts on servers and networks.

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