A major threat to data security in 2009 will be the evolution of malware, a leading computer expert has stated.

Malware will target the new audience that will be ensnared by new technological developments such as cloud computing, making the platform another chance for cybercriminals and spammers to get hold of information, according to Asavin Wattanajantra of IT Pro.

He said: "Malware-as-a-service becomes more common, which will allow automated malware to be bought and sold to order.

"This will be a big problem, as it lowers the technical level needed for criminals to become online fraudsters."

Furthermore, he stated that due to the internet's development over the last few months, the internet has created a hostile environment and malware is now able to piece together like a jigsaw from different places, combining to produce more malicious codes.

Popular items of digital software are now becoming more susceptible to malware, it has been reported, with the Samsung SPF-85H photo frame and Mercury's 1.5-inch digital keychain reported as the latest homes to packaged malware.

More than half of small businesses (53 per cent) believe that the most important benefit of outsourcing is guaranteed response times for IT support. London-based Connect conducted the research in 2007.