FIRMS in Lancashire are failing to properly protect themselves against hackers and e-mail abuse, according to a survey out today.

Almost three quarters of firms do not have proper safeguards to stop their computer security being compromised.

Most firms fail to scan the contents of e-mails to check if employees are sending or receiving obscene or defamatory messages.

And only 16 per cent automatically add a legal disclaimer to all their e-mails.

"Our survey reveals there is a great deal of ignorance about what constitutes a security policy," said Brian Pennington, marketing director of computer group Brilaw. "Too many companies don't realise that rather than pay lip service they have to actively police their computer systems, constantly guard against hackers and make it clear to employees exactly what is and is not allowed."

Of the companies surveyed only 10.5 per cent were actively selling over the internet with another 33 per cent planning on introducing an e-commerce service.

"Unless companies resolve the issue of internet security, e-commerce will not take-off. Companies have to prove to customers that the transaction is secure and that the credit card details they have given are safe from prying eyes."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.