Nearly nine in 10 IT managers fear <A HREF="http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/137956/it_managers_fearful_of_remote_workers.html">the security risks caused by remote working practices,</A> in spite of the increased productivity many home workers insist results from connecting offsite, new research has revealed.

The main concerns stem from the fact that hackers can use remote connections as a "back door" into the company network or to the risk of the corporate network by the use of unauthorized software and Internet access.

The study, conducted by Vanson Bourne and TNS, also showed that 87 percent of remote workers use their home PCs to access company data. The consumer research surveyed 1,335 U.K. adults and the IT manager research questioned 200 businesses of up to 250 employees.