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
Do not get hooked on fake messages
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
Beware of alerts promising to knock out malware that doesn't really exist
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
Promised upgrades don't always deliver
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.
The fourth scam of Christmas is the "current news scam"
Fraudsters are more than willing to take advantage of the news
People will use major world events to scam you out of money, regardless of how sad the event may have been. We saw it with Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
Difficult to believe in a season of goodwill but before the aid agencies had reached the poor people affected there were already scam emails and associated websites asking you to donate.
They look genuine but don't be fooled. The money goes nowhere but to the scammers.
The fifth scam of Christmas is the illegal "cracked" download
Beware offers of "cracked" products offered on the net
Many will be buying laptops or other computing devices for under the tree.
They are expensive and there are many tempting offers to buy incredibly cheap operating systems, office products or other tasty goodies. There are even more tempting opportunities to download "free" copies of "cracked" pirated software.
However, not only are you likely to find that the download is an illegal copy - and may not actually run or has an invalid key - but also that it comes with a hidden present: malware.
Buy from reputable sites and remember if it's too good to be true then it probably is.
The sixth scam of Christmas is the drive-by download
When speeding through sites take care with links that take you to unexpected places
Sadly you do not have to agree to download software from a malicious site for it to happen. There are ways in which malware can be wheedled on to your machine just by visiting a site.
We all roam randomly around the internet, especially when looking for presents, so it is hard to avoid such sites. However, try to watch for a trail that leads you into totally uncharted waters. It's difficult, but think before you click.
And, keep your virus checker and your browser up to date. Both increasingly afford some protection again this type of scam.
