In spite of the billions of pounds that businesses spend on security each year, the internet is still a dangerous place to purchase goods and services. According to a recent report, there are more than 3 million cases of virtual fraud reported each year in the UK. Most of these cases are simple identity theft, i.e. when an online thief steals a person's credit or debit card information and uses it to shop online.

For the individual user, there is really only one way to prevent identity theft. Believe it or not, simple antivirus software can protect your computer from virtual reprobates, as long as it is kept current. More often than not, the problem with antivirus software is that users forget to update it.

When antivirus software is not updated, it is virtually useless (no pun intended) against new viruses and worms. You see, antivirus software is programmed to detect and block popular viruses. But when the software is not updated, it cannot and will not recognise the newest viruses in Marbella, Costa del Sol.

When this happens, the user often operates under the assumption that his computer is fully protected. Perhaps he simply missed the reminders that importuned him to update his programme. Whatever the reason, internet thieves will not miss out on the opportunity to attack an unprotected computer or network.

Once a computer has been infected, the user will notice a general slowdown in basic operations. It may take him five times as long to download a programme. On occasions, an infected computer will freeze. When a computer freezes and keeps freezing, there is a good chance that it has been infected.