Web 2.0 has become a huge buzz word on the internet in the last few years and it will only continue to grow over the next few. It provides a way for people to collaborate and share their ideas in ways they never could before. Generally speaking the internet has not changed much technically. But, since the introduction of Web 2.0, the way people use the internet has. Not only has the general public caught on to this idea of Web 2.0, but businesses are also seeing it as a great way for its employees to communicate, express their ideas, and promote teamwork. Today more than two-thirds of businesses are using at least one Web 2.0 application.
Information thieves have caught onto this fact and have begun looking into new ways to steal information and exploit weaknesses. Over the years we’ve seen many different ways for attackers to initiate attacks. Several years ago email attachments were one of the most prominent ways to spread a virus. But with the introduction of Web 2.0, attackers are seeing it as a new medium for malicious attack. Whereas before users would have to click on email attachments to execute them, now web protocols allow attackers ways to spread malicious code just when a user visits the web page.
Malicious code is not the only threat that Web 2.0 applications expose businesses to. Exposure of confidential information is one of the number one threats that face businesses that Web 2.0 directly exposes them to. More than a third of information leaks are through message boards or blogs that are found on the internet.
Controlling access to Web 2.0 applications has become a main concern for many IT departments. Content control is no longer just a concern for enterprise businesses. Today even small and medium sized businesses are having to look into solutions to control the access to certain content.