British firms are among the most lax in western Europe when it comes to electronic security.

Despite new virus threats appearing regularly, almost one third of all companies in the region have failed to take any measures against digital attack, according to a survey by the McAfee security division of software firm Network Associates.

While German and Swedish businesses are the most secure against attack, British and Dutch firms are most vulnerable.

The spotlight on corporate security has intensified in recent months with the emergence of a barrage of "worms" and viruses, or internet-borne contagions.

Sobig.F and Blaster crippled computer systems over a few weeks this summer, inflicting billions of pounds worth of damage.

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