It appears that Javascript is turned off, or you are using an older browser. This may stop some of the page functionality from working correctly.

PCeU - Police Central e-crime Unit

General On-line Safety Advice

All users of the internet should protect themselves by installing robust firewalls, anti-virus and anti spy-ware software.

Always use strong password incorporating numbers, symbols, upper and lower case letters
Don’t use the same password for different sites and avoid the use of children’s or pets names
Remember that not everybody on the internet is honest and if it seems too good to be true it most certainly is
It's not too late to learn - www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-learning

The following links offer a very comprehensive advice for parents.

Make sure your business has adequate firewall, anti-virus and anti spy-ware protection. Further advice can be found in GetSafeOnline's eCrime pdf
Don’t get pressurised or tricked into agreeing to any services e.g advertising you don’t want or paying for products you haven’t requested.
Some recognised scams include:
- Bogus registration scam - these may look like they have been issued by an official body using names such as the Data Protection Agency, and ask businesses for a fee for registration purposes.
- Bogus invoices - a fake invoice is sent to a business in the hope that is made. The amounts requested are usually small enough not to attract suspicion or referral to a senior level.
- Deceptive directory scams - there are several companies that send out forms to small businesses asking them to check if the details are correct and then to return them. Hidden in the small print are terms that state that businesses are agreeing to their details appearing in a directory of some description at a cost of usually over £1000
- Bogus website registrations - a caller claims to represent domain name registration agents and say that a request has been received to register a domain name very similar to that of your committee and offer to protect your business name for a fee.

Remember what goes online stays online! Don’t say or publish anything that may cause you embarrassment later. There’s no delete button!
By restricting access to your profile to just family and friends you significantly decrease becoming a victim of social engineering and possible identity theft.
Be aware of the risks associated with social networking sites such as on-line bullying and in extreme cases grooming and child abuse.
More advice can be found at www.getsafeonline.org

The banks will NEVER ask you to confirm your password and other log-on security details
Beware of emails from financial institutions informing you there’s a problem with your account no matter how authentic they appear. These emails request that you click on a link and enter your personal security information that then re-directs you to a bogus site that collects your security information.
If in doubt phone the bank using the phone number from a genuine piece of correspondence or phone directory.
Regularly check your balance and contact your bank if there are any unrecognised or suspicious withdrawals.
Shred bank statements and other correspondence that contain your account number, ideally with a cross-cut shredder.
For more information see www.banksafeonline.org.uk and www.actionfraud.org.uk

The majority of people buying and selling on the internet are honest and do deliver and pay for goods it’s is recommended that both parties take the necessary steps to ensure that satisfaction is achieved.
If it seems too good to be true it most probably is.
You are strongly advised not to use money transfers to pay for items bought on-line.
It’s strongly advise to use a dedicated credit/debit card for all your on-line transactions
For more advice see http://www.met.police.uk/fraudalert/internet_advertising_auction.htm

While very convenient and user friendly it should be stressed that accessing the internet from a mobile device is not without risk.
It is strongly recommended that each devices security protocols are set to the highest level and use PIN codes to lock SIMS, keypads and voicemail, particularly when your mobile device contains amounts of personal data.
Caution should be employed when using public Wi-Fi hot spots i.e coffee shops, libraries etc as these areas are not secure and hence any transactions could be compromised.
Avoid downloading apps from non official sites as they can be used to install malware.
Be watchful of others looking at your screen
Users should be aware that photos taken from many phones have embedded location information.