This Christmas looks like being a bumper one for online shopping but not everyone is filled with the festive spirit and some have already set online traps they hope you will fall into.
Here are twelve cyber-scams to watch out for this Christmas:
The first scam of Christmas is phishing
They've been around for years and we've all received a version.
Fraudsters send you a message and attempt to make you click on a link to a fake site or open some malware that infects your machine.
They may be old but they have evolved and some are very cleverly targeted (known as spear phishing). Imagine you are placing orders on a well-known website for gifts. Suddenly you receive an email - apparently from that very site - saying that there is a problem with your last order and can you please "click here" to attend to the problem.
Logos, email addresses, even the link might look genuine but you'll get more than you bargained for if you do as the email asks. Check twice and click once.
The second scam of Christmas is the fake virus checker
You search for that elusive gift, and finally you're led to a site that appears to sell just what your nearest and dearest want.
But wait, a message flashes up saying that your machine is infected… but don't worry just download the free virus check shown and your problem will be solved.
By downloading it you will actually be infecting your machine and your problems will only just have begun. Install a good virus checker before you go online.
The third scam of Christmas is the fake upgrade
As the Christmas spirit gets going we all send each other links to jokes and videos, on Facebook, by email and via Twitter.
Now imagine you arrive at one of these sites and it tells you that you don't have the latest Flash Player so you can't watch that funny video, but not to worry click here and you can get your upgraded player immediately.
Not only will this "upgrade" be malware but that malware will go on to send messages to all your friends telling them to go see the "funny" video.
Read The fourth scam of Christmas, the "current news scam"
and the rest at BBC.
