Secure X-mas shopping: PandaLabs reveals some simple tips

Itâ€™s no surprise that nowadays many people buy X-Mas and New Year gifts online. It is convenient, cheap andâ€¦secure? According to CyberSource, the number of fraudulent internet transactions increases annually by 20 percent. Thus, in 2007 cyber-criminalsâ€™ profit out of such transactions amounted $3600 million (!).
To protect users from getting into such online traps, PandaLabs made up a list of practical tips that are easy to remember and use during online shopping.
During the Christmas holidays one of the most dangerous threats to users is banking trojans. These malicious codes were specifically designed to steal confidential information such as bank passwords, accounts numbers, etc. They make such information available to cyber-criminals who, in turn, steal money directly from users. This type of malware is represented by about 20% of the total number of new types of malware appeared during 2008.
Phishing is another type of fraud. This type of attack uses email messages, sent on behalf of banks and other institutions actually makes users go to fake Web pages, requesting their banking data.
False online stores are another type of common threat: they also were created to steal users' banking data. Often, in order to attract potential victims they offer products at surprisingly low prices.
Holiday cards created to spread malware, infected P2P-downloads and deceptive online auctions: this is only a small portion of dangers that threaten to customers in the Christmas holidays.
In order to avoid threats, PandaLabs advises you to be extremely cautious when shopping online.
Make sure your machine has no viruses;
be anxious to update your anti-virus solution in time;
attend only reliable sites;
ask advice from other users;
even if you have an antivirus program, make sure your computer is not infected by re-scanning.
These simple things may be of great help to you when buying gift for your relatives and fiends. And remember: there is nothing worse than spoilt holydays.
Marry Christmas & Happy New Year!