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Internet users warned to be more vigilant in festive season

Internet users and online shoppers should be extra vigilant while going about their activities online during the festive season, online payment company PayPal has stated.

This is because during this period, many people turn their attention to shopping for gifts, which attracts reciprocal action from cyber crooks who increase their phishing attacks in order to net as many victims as possible.

Speaking to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Michael Barrett, chief information officer at PayPal said: "There's a component of cybercrime that is seasonally variable.

"There are three times as many phishing e-mails beginning the day before Thanksgiving, and we see a reduction after Christmas until after New Year's."

SecureWorks recently warned that retail websites are increasingly being targeted by hackers who are interested in compromising their internet security and accessing data that may include names and credit card numbers.

If such data is stolen, it may lead to ID theft and online fraud.

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