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Before logging on from a PC, Mac, or mobile device, for the last minute holiday online shopping madness, consumers should look out for the 12 Scams of Christmas by McAfee:

1. Mobile Malware – A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey found that 52.6% of U.S. consumers who own a smartphone will be using their device for holiday-shopping. Malware targeted at mobile devices is on the rise, and Google’s (GOOG) Android smartphones are most at risk. McAfee cites a 76% increase in  Android malware in the second quarter of 2011, making it the most targeted smartphone platform.

New malware has recently been found that targets QR codes, a digital barcode that consumers might scan with their smartphone to find good deals or just to learn about products they want to buy.

2. Malicious Mobile Applications – These are mobile apps designed to steal information from smartphones, or send out expensive text messages without a user’s consent. Dangerous apps are usually offered for free, and masquerade as fun applications, such as games. Last year, 4.6 million Android smartphone users downloaded a wallpaper app that collected and transmitted user data to a site in China.

3. Phony Facebook Promotions and Contests – Who doesn’t want free stuff? Unfortunately, cyberscammers know that “free” things are attractive lures and they have sprinkled Facebook with phony promotions and contests aimed at gathering personal information. A recent scam advertised two free airline tickets, but required participants to fill out multiple surveys requesting personal information.

4. Scareware, or Fake Antivirus software - Scareware is the fake antivirus software that tricks someone into believing that their computer is at risk or already infected so they agree to download and pay for phony software. This is one of the most common and dangerous Internet threats today, victimizing one million victims each day. In 2010, McAfee reported that scareware represented 23% of all dangerous Internet links, and it has been resurgent in recent months.

5. Holiday Screensavers – Bringing holiday cheer to your home or work PC sounds like a fun idea to get into the holiday spirit, but be careful. A recent search for a Santa screensaver that promises to let you “fly with Santa in 3D” is malicious. Holiday-themed ringtones and e-cards have been known to be malicious too.

6. Mac Malware – Until recently, Mac users felt pretty insulated from online security threats, since most were targeted at PCs. But with the growing popularity of Apple (AAPL) products, cybercriminals have designed a new wave of malware directed squarely at Mac users. According to McAfee Labs, as of late 2010, there were 5,000 pieces of malware targeting Macs, and this number is increasing by 10 percent each month.

7. Holiday Phishing Scams - Phishing is the act of tricking consumers into revealing information or performing actions they wouldn’t normally do online using phony email or social media posts. Cyberscammers know that most people are busy around the holidays so they tailor their emails and social messages with holiday themes in the hopes of tricking recipients into revealing personal information.

• Phony notice from UPS (UPS) saying you have a package and need to complete an attached form which asks for personal or financial details to complete the delivery. The form sends the that will go straight into the hands of the cyberscammer.

• Banking phishing scams continue to be popular and the holiday season means consumers will be spending more money and checking bank balances more often. From July to September of this year, McAfee Labs identified approximately 2,700 phishing URLs per day.

• Smishing –SMS phishing remains a concern. Scammers send their fake messages via a text alert to a phone, notifying an unsuspecting consumer that his bank account has been compromised. The cybercriminals then direct the consumer to call a phone number to get it re-activated—and collects the user’s personal information including Social Security number, address, and account details.

8. Online Coupon Scams - An estimated 63 percent of shoppers search for online coupons when they purchase something on the Internet, and October 2011  NRF data shows that 17.3 percent of smartphone users and 21.5 percent of tablets consumers are using their mobiles devices to redeem those coupons. But watch out, because the scammers know that by offering an irresistible online coupon, they can get people to hand over some of their personal information.

9. Mystery Shopper Scams - Mystery shoppers are people who are hired to shop in a store and report back on the customer service. Scammers are using this fun job to try to lure people into revealing personal and financial information. There have been reports of scammers sending text messages to victims, offering to pay them $50 an hour to be a mystery shopper, and instructing them to call a number if they are interested. Once the victim calls, they are asked for their personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers.

10. Hotel “Wrong Transaction” Malware Emails - Many people travel over the holidays, so it is no surprise that scammers have designed travel-related scams to get users to click on dangerous emails. In one example, a scammer sent out emails that appeared to be from a hotel, claiming that a “wrong transaction” had been discovered on the recipient’s credit card. It then asked them to fill out an attached refund form. Once opened, the attachment downloads malware onto their machine.

11. “It” Gift Scams - Every year there are hot holiday gifts that sell out early in the season. Not only do sellers mark up the price of the must have toy, but scammers will also start advertising them on rogue websites and social networks, even if they don’t have them. So, consumers could wind up paying for an item and giving away credit card details only to receive nothing in return. Once the scammers have the personal financial details, there is little recourse.

12. “I’m away from home” Scammers - Posting information about a vacation on social networking sites could actually be dangerous. If someone is connected with people they don’t know on Facebook or other social networking sites, they could see their post and decide that it may be a good time to rob them. Furthermore, a quick online search can easily turn up their home address.

How to Protect Yourself

• Only download mobile apps from official app stores, such as iTunes and the Android Market, and read user reviews before downloading them.
• Be extra vigilant when reviewing and responding to emails.
• Watch out for too-good-to-be-true offers on social networks. Never agree to reveal your personal information just to participate in a promotion.
• Don’t accept requests on social networks from people you don’t know in real life. Wait to post pictures and comments about your vacation until you’ve already returned home.

Related articles

Mobile Threats Top Holiday Scam List (pcworld.com)
Five Tips to Avoid Malware in Mobile Apps (pcworld.com)