Computer hacking and fraud is on the increase and smaller businesses urgently need to ensure their IT systems are properly secure, a leading business pressure group is warning today.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is reacting to reports from internet security firm Symantec that it had noticed a huge surge in 'phishing' attacks in the second half of last year. In July last year, the firm's anti-virus software was preventing around nine million emails containing a phishing attack from getting through to intended victims per week. Within six months, the number of phishing attacks blocked had soared to an average of 33 million a week, according to the report.

The FPB is urging owners of smaller business to ensure anti-virus software is kept up-to-date to protect sensitive financial information, such as bank account details and security passwords, from fraudsters.

"The FPB's 2004 Bank Survey revealed that almost half, 43.3 per cent, of smaller firms use internet banking, so the fact that fraudsters are targeting online banking services should raise the alarm that firms must be prepared and on their guard,' said FPB IT spokesperson Kieron Hayes.

"The FPB's IT system is persistently being attacked by a variety of viruses, including both 'phishing' emails aiming to gather banking details and 'Trojan horse' viruses. Fortunately, we regularly update our anti-virus software and firewall and we urge smaller businesses to do the same."

Mr Hayes concluded: "There's no doubt that hackers and fraudsters are stepping up their efforts to attack business users, which is not surprising given the popularity of business banking over the Internet. The business owner needs to be alert to the threat and install watertight software so the fraudsters are kept out."