Staying secure

Harmful viruses and Trojan horses may damage your computer and collect your private data, regardless of whether you are using Skype or not. By following these tips, you can avoid trouble.

• Do not open email attachments from unknown people, or suspicious-looking attachments even from people you know. Most viruses these days come in the form of email attachments. When in doubt, always contact the sender to confirm the email is legitimate, even if it looks harmless (such as an ecard or funny picture) at first sight.
• Always use an anti-virus program to check the files you receive from other people using Skype File Transfer, even if you know the sender.
• Use a personal firewall. Enable the firewall in your network router or cable modem.
• Use an up-to-date anti-virus program. Keep it running at all times.
• If you are using Windows, visit Windows Update to download security updates to your computer.
• If you are using Windows XP, download and enable Windows XP Service Pack 2 from Windows Update. It contains many security enhancements for your PC and keeps it safe.

Skype have partnered with McAfee to make sure you are safe online and when using Skype. McAfee's comprehensive security software is 100% Skype certified so you can be assured you are secure against malware and fraud.

McAfee offer a number of different products to help keep you safe whenever you power on your computer.

30 days free of McAfee Internet Security Suite
McAfee® Internet Security Suite with SiteAdvisor provides trusted PC and internet protection so your whole family can enjoy online activities such as surfing the web, shopping, banking, emailing and instant messaging.

Free McAfee SiteAdvisor
McAfee SiteAdvisor is a web safety tool that helps keep you safe from adware, spam, and online scams.

Further to our commitment with McAfee to keeping you safe whilst using Skype, we're also offering 20% off McAfee products to Skype users.

Get Safe Online is the UK's first national internet security awareness campaign for the general public and small businesses. The campaign is a joint initiative between the government, the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit and private sector sponsors, such as eBay.

The aim of the site is to give free, up-to-the-minute information and advice about how to keep safe and secure online. For more information click here.

Get Safe Online also has information to advise you how to use internet telephony and instant messaging, both available using Skype, safely.