Surfing the Internet, which costs businesses $759 billion in wasted salaries each year, is the top choice of U.S. workers looking to goof off on the job.

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Through an Internet survey conducted by compensation specialist Salary.com and service provider America Online involving more than 10,000 employees, the report found surfing was the top time waster for 44.7 percent of workers.

A distant second was socializing at 23.4 percent, and 6.8 percent said they managed to sneak in personal business at work.

Cnetnews.com said average hours wasted per person, per day, were highest in the insurance industry, at 2.5 hours per day.

But, Bill Coleman, senior vice president at Salary.com said the loafing statistics aren't necessarily cause for alarm.

"In some cases this extra wasted time might be considered 'creative waste' -- time that may well have a positive impact on the company's culture, work environment, and even business results," Coleman said.