{"id":1162,"date":"2023-03-31T11:25:28","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T10:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/?p=1162"},"modified":"2023-03-31T11:50:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T10:50:57","slug":"stay-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/2023\/03\/31\/stay-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay safe online"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Andy Taylor, one of our Volunteer Digital Champions, has over 35 years of experience in information security. In his first\u00a0 blog post, he provides practical and easy-to-follow advice on how to stay safe online.
\n<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The internet world is essential for many aspects of everyday life \u2013 we all really need to use it, to some extent, if we are to take advantage of the best prices, widest shopping choices, best energy deals, government benefits, and the like. Unfortunately, there are far too many people in the world who would like to steal your information and then, usually, take some (or all) of your money.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking security seriously is very important and being mindful of some basic checks, rules and processes can reduce the risk of an unfortunate event causing great embarrassment and distress. We should be concerned about the risks but equally, we should be confident and feel able to use the internet wisely, safely and securely. All the things I mention here apply to desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones and even to devices like the Amazon Kindle Fire.\u00a0 Any device that connects to the internet (including the increasing number of home devices like dishwashers, heating systems, doorbells and many more) can be, and is, used as a way of trying to get information and money from you.<\/p>\n

I have been working in information security for over 35 years and have been closely involved with a number of schemes which have been designed to improve information security and, in particular, cyber security over the years. And there is plenty of good advice available but of course, much of it is online! So, in the first of occasional blogs, here are a few basic tips and suggestions, as well as some links to other sources of information, to help you to use the internet safely and with confidence and to your best advantage.<\/p>\n

Don’t panic<\/h3>\n

My first tip is not to panic!\u00a0 This may seem strange but panic is what many criminals are\"\"<\/a>\u00a0hoping to generate in you when they pose as police, banks, computer companies, courier companies or in any other guises.\u00a0 The internet can be used safely and securely and taking your time is a very good start.\u00a0 Often the first line of defence is to stop and think.\u00a0 Perhaps ask someone else, \u201cDoes this seem right to you?\u201d. The (very) old adage \u2018if it is too good to be true it probably is not\u2019 still holds true.\u00a0 Recently, I myself very nearly fell for a scam survey about my broadband provider and got as far as selecting a prize when I thought, \u201cThey are never going to give away \u00a31,000 shopping vouchers for doing this!\u201d and stopped.\u00a0 It can happen to anyone because criminals are learning fast about the things we look for. Emails, texts and other types of communications that are looking to entice you to provide personal information (spam, phishing, vishing, etc.) used to contain a lot of spelling mistakes, poor grammar and the like, but Google and Microsoft are helping those criminals with poor grammar to improve their language skills to be more convincing with their messages.<\/p>\n

Check if your connection is secure<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>My second golden rule is to make sure the connection you have with any website online is secure, notably when making transactions that involve financial or personal information. The easiest check is the padlock at the front of the address bar where you type in a web address.\u00a0 If the website is secure the padlock icon will be shown locked shut.\u00a0 Never do any serious business if the padlock is open, and actually, most reputable web browsers will now stop you or at least warn you about unsafe websites. You can click on the padlock icon to see more information if you wish. The secondary check is that the web address should always start https:\/\/<\/strong> with the \u201cs\u201d<\/strong> standing for secure.\u00a0 If that isn\u2019t there I would leave fairly quickly!<\/p>\n

Update your device<\/h2>\n

My third tip would be to ensure all the software installed on your device is always up to\"\"<\/a> date.\u00a0 Most devices today have settings to check regularly for updates and to install when available.\u00a0 The reason for these updates is principally two-fold.\u00a0 Firstly, and most importantly, to block or disable any security holes in the software which have been discovered by the experts. Secondly, they are often used to provide a better service or experience when using the software.\u00a0 Be aware though that many smartphones and tablets will tell you that software updates will be installed automatically but in reality, in an effort to conserve battery life and for other reasons, you may need to check that they are actually being installed.\u00a0 A quick check through Google Play store (for Android devices) or Settings and App Store (Apple devices) can ensure all your software has the latest version installed. Take note of the indications, notifications and other warnings that there is a newer version available and don\u2019t put it off until tomorrow \u2013 that might be too late!<\/p>\n

Don’t be afraid to seek advice<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>My final tip today is perhaps a little odd…\u00a0 Tell people when you have had a problem, most importantly when you have actually succumbed to some form of criminal activity.\u00a0 All scams, however, they are enacted, are crimes and should be treated as such.\u00a0 Dorset Police Service have a specialist cyber-crime unit and will be interested to hear about it and help if they can.\u00a0 Dorset Trading Standards are also keen to hear about any criminal activity within their remit and can often help to recover money that has been lost. Embarrassment is too often the problem but it is not the right way to go.\u00a0 If no one talks about the crimes that have been committed against them then little will change.\u00a0 It is only through hearing about others\u2019 misfortunes that we can all improve and help protect ourselves online. If you have any concerns or doubts, before taking a critical step talk to a partner, or trusted advisor or even call the Dorset Council Digital Hotline at 01305 221048<\/strong> who will put you through to someone who can help advise on what is and isn\u2019t likely to be valid.<\/p>\n

Useful resources<\/h2>\n

Some useful sources of information about how to stay safe online are given below.\u00a0 Be wary of advice provided by some commercial companies who might only really be interested in getting their hands on your hard-earned cash or data.<\/p>\n

The National Cyber Security Centre<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). As the UK\u2019s lead organisation for cyber-security, they provide loads of advice for every type of user. They run a campaign called Cyber Aware. They also ask everyone to report to them any scam emails, texts, websites and calls.
\nhttps:\/\/www.ncsc.gov.uk\/section\/information-for\/individuals-families<\/a><\/p>\n

Get Safe Online\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Get Safe Online is a charitable organisation set up to do as the name suggests.\u00a0 They provide independent security advice and tell you how to take the steps necessary to stay safe with all your devices and for all users from the very young to the not-so-young.
\nhttps:\/\/www.getsafeonline.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Action Fraud<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Action Fraud is the organisation run by the City of London Police who are responsible for taking the appropriate action when a cyber crime has been committed.\u00a0 If you have fallen for a scam or have had a material loss due to some cyber activity, Action Fraud will take your report and help to deal with it in partnership with the local police force and other organisations.
\nhttps:\/\/www.actionfraud.police.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Citizens Advice<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Citizens Advice have a wealth of experience in all matters relating to the use of the internet and can help with advice on security.
\nhttps:\/\/www.citizensadvice.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Trading Standards<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Trading Standards run a scheme called Friends Against Scams with the aim of reducing the scams and more importantly the damage caused by them.\u00a0 You can join their scheme for free and help to spread the word and they also provide good advice on all scams not just those enacted on the internet.
\nhttps:\/\/www.FriendsAgainstScams.Org.UK<\/a><\/p>\n

My next blog will include some specific information about how to protect yourself against criminals and how to spot the danger signs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Andy Taylor, one of our Volunteer Digital Champions, has over 35 years of experience in information security. In his first\u00a0 blog post, he provides practical and easy-to-follow advice on how to stay safe online. The internet world is essential for many aspects of everyday life \u2013 we all really need to use it, to some… Read more Stay safe online<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1172,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[49,1],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/files\/2023\/03\/Andy-Taylor-2-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1162"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1179,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1162\/revisions\/1179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk\/digital-first\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}