ALMOST nine out every 10 business in Bradford have websites that are “vulnerable” to hackers, according to new research.

After researching sites of businesses based in the city, cyber security firm CyberScanner found that 87.13 per cent were classed as vulnerable.

The study found the most common issues were vulnerability to malicious codes, cross-site scripting, and forgery.

The company checked 435 websites in Bradford, finding that 397 were “vulnerable.”

In Keighley 86 out of the 97 company websites checked (88.66 per cent) were vulnerable. In Bingley 18 out of 20 (90 per cent) were vulnerable, and in Brighouse 43 out of 48 (89.58 per cent) were classed as being at risk.

The figures were released just a few weeks before new data privacy rules come into play across the UK.

Business that do not comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may face heavy fines.

Reza Moaiandin, CyberScanner’s technical director, said: “We now monitor over quarter of a million UK’s businesses online and over 87 per cent are seriously vulnerable.

“When we started CyberScanner, we did so out frustration for the lack of affordable cyber security products available to inform, and protect Small and Medium enterprises against a sea of ever-growing security threats.

“Now that GDPR is just a month away, it shows just how much work companies across the UK still need to put into their online defences and security strategies.”

Mike Cartwright, from the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “Data protection is now more crucial than ever before for businesses.

“We’ve seen several examples in recent weeks and months of the damage and controversy that can occur over both sensitive and seemingly harmless data being shared or accessed.

“We have been advising businesses for several months now on how to ensure they are fully up-to-speed with the incoming regulations, including running courses and workshops to guide and advise them. If in doubt, give us a call.”