Cyber criminals lurks where you least expect them

Recent reports suggest home computer users are by far the most likely targets for cyber criminals. The latest trend: cyber thieves focussing on social networking sites - like Myspace or your typical blog - where users find a comfort zone in the site and are unlikely to suspect that cyber predators are lurking. In fact, according to security software company Symantec -- home users account for 86-percent of all online victims.

Dave Cole is director of Symantec Security Response: "People are just spamming the comment fields and putting a whole bunch of stuff there. And we're also seeing some malicious images and ads that people have put on those sites that actually attack people when they've downloaded in an attempt to put malicious software or spyware on a person's machine."

When Internet crooks trick you into disclosing your personal information through what appears to be a legitimate, online request from a bank or credit card company, known as "Phishing scams," -- the number of these cases are on the rise.

Technology research firm Gartner says sites like eBay and Paypal are particularly popular targets for online fraud.

So what are some tips on defending against cyber crooks?

Experts say use Internet security software that layers your defenses.

Keep your operating system and your web browser software up to date.

And most importantly -- common sense. Use the same "street smarts" when you're on the web that you use in the real world.

Bureau Report