After a week of unusual online activity in the Parish we thought some tips on how to stay safe online would be useful this week.
Knowing what to look out for – Whether you’re online for the first time, or you’ve been using the internet for years, you can fall victim to a scam. They can be complex and are designed to catch you out. But some of these scams are more common than others. Before you worry about what you can do to stay safe, it’s a good idea to know a bit about the sort of scams you might come across.
Email scams – Scammers send emails to try and get you to give them your personal details. They might either try and direct you to a fake website, claim something’s wrong with an account or device you own or claim you’ve won a prize. Sometimes there might be a file attached to the email. The scammer wants you to open or download this as it could harm your device by releasing or downloading a virus (malware).
You should look out for:
- Errors in the spelling or grammar, or wording that just doesn’t seem quite right.
- Requests for personal information, such as usernames, password or bank details.
- Anything that’s time-sensitive and wants you to act fast.
Top tip – Don’t open any attachment or click on any links that you’re suspicious of.
Fake websites
Scammers set up fake websites as a way to get your personal information. This could be a fake banking website where they ask you to update your details or account information, for example. There are also websites set up to get you to pay for free services. These are usually government services, such as renewing your passport. These websites aren’t illegal, but are set up to make you pay for free services.
- Although these websites are designed to look very similar, look out for any details of the website that don’t look quite right.
Top tip – Don’t fill out any personal details or make any transactions on a website until you’re sure it’s safe. If online banking, always search for the website yourself.
Stay Safe and Aware. Check the email address. Don’t open documents or links from unknown sources. Keep Passwords and Pin Safe.
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