Online Safety Advice

The internet now pervades many areas of life, and whether you are communicating, doing business or social interaction, used wisely, it can be an essential and beneficial tool for modern living.

However, the downside is the internet is also used for a variety of criminality with fraud being the most prevalent so below are some basic precautions and suggestions which together with a good degree of common sense should keep the user safe.

Protect your PC

  • Source good anti-virus/anti-spyware software and a firewall. Some products are subscription based other offer free downloads
  • Use an up to date web browser
  • Keep your computer up to date i.e run ‘windows updates’
  • Block spam emails
  • Beware bogus emails and attachments - Don’t open emails from people you don’t know
  • Make regular back ups of your information on discs or an external hard drive
  • Secure your Wi-Fi use the encryption option. If you can access it without entering security data so can someone else in the vicinity
  • Choose strong passwords - passwords which use random characters; capitals, lowercase, numbers and symbols. Don't pick obvious passwords e.g birthdays or names. Use different passwords for different sites
  • Use your computer in administrator mode. Create a user account and use that on a day to day basis

Social Networking

  • It is advisable to set the security levels to just your friends and view your profile. Remember, how much personal information would you be happy to tell a stranger on the street?
  • Pick a user name that doesn’t include your real name
  • Be very cautious about posting identifying information about yourself or your family: e.g your address, phone number or mothers maiden name, pets name or date of birth that could be used to identify your security passwords
  • Remember what goes online stays online! Don’t say or publish anything that may cause you embarrassment later. There’s no delete button!
  • Don’t let peer pressure push you into something you are not comfortable with; like posting your mobile number or birthday
  • Some people lie online may not be who they say they are. Don't arrange to meet someone that you have only met online
  • If someone contacts you with weird or nasty messages, don't reply to them. Save the messages and contact the forum administrator.
  • Further detailed information see Safe Social Networking

Online finance and shopping

  • When shopping on-line always use common sense - if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Use secure websites. Look for "https://" and the padlock image to show the site is secure
  • Does the company have a real address and phone number. What are their returns and data privacy policies? Call them if you are in any doubt.
  • Use a secure payment option such as PayPal or a dedicated or pre-pay credit card for all on-line purchases
  • Be aware that sponsored links at the top or side of search page pay to be there. These are not always reliable and can be used by criminals
  • Ensure the web address shown on the search matches that which appears on the bottom bar when you hover over the link - if it does not you could be taken to a phishing site if you enter it
  • Remember banks and financial institutions do not send emails asking you to verify your bank details by clicking on a link. Do not trust such emails, no matter how authentic they appear. You can always call your bank using the phone number on a genuine piece of correspondence, website (typed directly into the address bar)

Glossary of terms

Related links

For further information for parents in relation to child safety on line visit www. ceop.gov.uk

 

Crime Prevention