Beware of the Black Monday of malware

Internet surfers, beware. Security researchers believe 24 November will see a spike in the use of malware – vicious software used to harm your computer.

PC Tools have released the analysis of information gathered with its anti-virus products, showing a peak in malware use in the last weeks of past Novembers. Based on this, the company believes 24 November – next Monday – will be a hot date for malware use.

But as more people are using online stores requiring credit card details for Christmas shopping, users must be savvy to guard their computers well.

Carl Minassian, chief executive of security systems provider Earthwave, says internet users just need to use common sense.

“Don’t be enticed into clicking on email links. Don’t browse websites which have a bad reputation or lack a trusted SSL certificate, keep your anti-virus software up to date, and install a pop-up blocker,” he told The Age.