The number of opportunities that become available for IT contractors with security experience could be due to increase.

Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, has expressed concern about the number of people and companies falling for scams online and the poor level of knowledge they have of these issues.

He warns that the emails and communications that firms can be targeted with are increasingly realistic and that they can be very difficult to identify.

It is crucial that companies are aware of the security threats that could compromise their networks and have measures in place to address these, such as hiring IT contractors, he suggests.

Mr Neate's comments follow research by Network Box that show 55 per cent of all malware sent via email is an attempt at conducting a phishing attack.

Among the busiest times for this form of attack were shortly before Christmas and throughout January, with Brazil remaining the largest source of these viruses.