Beware PCs bearing unwanted Christmas gifts

Computer security specialist Sophos are warning those who have received new computers this Christmas to take time to ensure that their PCs are secured before connecting to the internet.

Many PCs on the high street come with software which was produced several months before, so their security patches are out of date, while anti-virus software, often bundled with a home computer, is unlikely to provide out-of-the-box protection for recent viruses. Last month alone, 1,300 new viruses were identified, so protection that is just a couple of months old could seriously compromise computer security.

"The latest PC or snazzy laptop will top many people's Christmas lists this year, and there's an assumption that an off-the-shelf computer is ready to plug and play," said Carole Theriault, security consultant at Sophos. "Many people do not realise that the first task after unwrapping a PC should be to check that the system is properly protected against a whole host of threats: are the latest security patches installed? Is there a firewall in place? Is the computer running anti-virus software?"

Without these security elements in place, a computer can become a sitting duck as soon as it is connected to email or the internet.

"I've seen cases where a whopping 38MB of security patches needs to be downloaded onto a brand new PC, a task that could take from dusk 'til dawn for users with a dial-up modem connection," continued Theriault. "But updating security is vital; a virus or successful phishing attack would be a very unwelcome present."

Sophos also warns computer users not to let their guard down during the festive period.

"Safe computing is an issue all year round, but in the run up to Christmas, many people are entering into the holiday spirit. It's all too easy to click on an e-card or open a joke program, but a moment's entertainment could lead to hours of misery," added Theriault.

Read more about best practice for safe computing

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