Keeping yourself safe online
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Love it or hate it, technology and the internet has become almost a necessity in our everyday lives. It can make a lot of things much easier and quicker. However, it can be a minefield of scammers and online criminals.
Below are some general safety tips to make sure you stay safe and avoid becoming a victim.
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Make sure you use a regularly updated antivirus protection. There are some decent free downloads you can use.
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Never click on links you are unsure of.
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If you receive strange emails in your inbox, don’t open them — delete them straight away.
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Change your password regularly, have different passwords for each site you visit, and never give your password to anyone else.
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Make sure you use trusted providers when you shop online. Do your research if you are booking or buying anything over the internet to make sure the company is legitimate and can be trusted.
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Make sure you only use secure websites when you are doing your online shopping or checking your bank account, just look for the padlock symbol in the search bar.
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Most internet providers can activate child safety features in your internet browser to help protect your children from unsafe websites.
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People often click links that friends have shared on social media. These may also be part of a scam. Your friends account may have been cloned or hacked.
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If you receive a "Friend request" from someone you are already friends with, check with them before accepting.
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If you receive an unexpected call from your bank or any business you deal with and you are unsure if it is genuine, hang up and call them back. Preferably from a different phone.
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Never give out personal details unless you are 100% sure it is real.
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Anyone can become a victim of online fraud and scams. So never be afraid or embarrassed, if you do become a victim, always report it.
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​Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
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Stay safe, and please share on social media with the link at the top of the page.
Thank you.