With a survey showing over 70% of computer users will shop on the Web this Christmas, security experts are offering advice to help users stay safe online.

Security firm Sophos conducted a poll showing 71% of computer users will use the Internet for shopping for Christmas presents.

With the ever-present threat of cybercrime and Internet fraud, Sophos have published a set of guidelines to follow when shopping online:

- Ensure that a firewall, anti-virus and all software patches are installed and up-to-date
- Enter sensitive information only from a computer you know is secure
- Visit and make purchases only from reputable sites
- Never follow links from an unsolicited email or spam message
- Ensure your passwords are known to you alone and are long enough to be unguessable

Sophos

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