The majority of intermediary firms (52%) agree that developing new or existing websites should be at the top of their ‘to do’ list this year.

These results come from the latest online technology poll run by 1st – The Exchange, which asked over 100 financial intermediaries and users of its Exweb portal for their views.

Despite a significant increase in online fraud and cyber-related crime over the past few years, only 8% of intermediaries see this as the major technological threat to their business in 2010. 19% claimed ‘viruses’ could be their biggest worry in 2010 but for 42% of advisers data loss was the biggest threat. The second highest threat recorded 31% – was a change of operating system or desktop software.

David Child, managing director, 1st – The Exchange, said: “With online fraud