Those who shop online should be aware of the increasingly-sophisticated criminal activity that exists, according to government initiative Get Safe Online.

Managing director of the group Tony Neate explains that there has been an increase in opportunist crime, which could affect broadband users.

Mr Neate said: "We need to keep one step ahead of that criminality because the opportunist is there as much as the organised criminal."

He added that the responsibility for online security was everyone's, as businesses invest in developing methods of staying ahead of activity, while home broadband users should "update your system regularly".

It was reported by the BBC in early February that an unprecedented number of malicious programmes had been detected by security firms.

Panda Software claimed its daily reception of malware had reached 3,000, with some firms reporting up to five times as many damaging programmes in circulation in 2007, compared to the previous year.

Categories: Internet Security

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