| Local businessman and computer expert Dave | | | | Wi-Fi connection, rogue users within signal |
| Page, who runs Hybrid Computers, is warning | | | | range can surf the net at the expense of |
| home computer users in the Aylesbury area to | | | | someone else's phone bill. This may seem |
| beware that they are leaving themselves open | | | | fairly harmless, but it can have a dramatic |
| to identity theft, spying and viruses from | | | | effect on your surfing speed. But worse, |
| unscrupulous broadband hackers. | | | | experienced hackers can gain access to your |
| | | | data, files, personal information and more, |
| Typical home surfers shop and bank online; | | | | without you noticing." |
| they use popular auction sites such as eBay | | | | |
| and are likely to book their holiday on the | | | | He warned that having up-to-date anti-virus |
| net too. Lack of computer security is a | | | | software and a firewall is also vital to |
| growing menace for people unaware of the | | | | prevent your computer from being disabled by |
| risks that using an unsecured internet | | | | viruses and spyware programmes that can |
| connection can cause. The increasing use of | | | | reveal what you do on the internet. Mr Page |
| laptops that use wireless broadband is adding | | | | explained: "Many users already have viruses |
| to the problem. Surfing the net while | | | | and spyware on their PCs but are unaware that |
| relaxing in the garden during the warm summer | | | | they are open to attack. Protecting yourself |
| weather may seem a luxury, but vulnerable | | | | from these problems is really simple. Most |
| users can be easily exploited. | | | | home users just need their security settings |
| | | | enabled on equipment they already own. Others |
| Mr Page said: "Home surfers have a huge | | | | just need some additional software, which is |
| amount of personal information on their PCs. | | | | very cost-effective compared with the cost of |
| Every time they shop online, they are | | | | having your identity cloned or your internet |
| transferring that information across | | | | connection exploited. |
| cyberspace. If they are using an unprotected | | | | |