Almost a third of small and medium sized businesses do not employ a formal internet policy, according to a recent survey by Easynet Connect.

The research found that 18% of SMEs in the UK impose a complete ban and 49% employ a formal internet policy, such as limiting employee use to lunchtimes only.

32% of small firms have no formal policy, allowing completely unrestricted internet use by their staff.

"As a rising number of core business applications become web-based, it is important that personal internet use does not compromise the performance of these applications," said Chris Stening, MD of Easynet Connect.

"Businesses must analyse their internet connectivity requirements and develop a policy that doesn't compromise their business' core online applications, while accommodating for their employees legitimate internet needs."