We can be certain that one prediction about 2013 will come true - the internet and our online profiles will continue to an increasingly dominating part of our lives this year. That’s why we should all make a resolution we can keep and take measures to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime.
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Recent research by not-for-profit organisation getsafeonline.org reveals that a staggering 56 per cent of Brits have been targeted by online criminals, which has resulted in an average loss per online attack of £247 per person.
A further 40 per cent of us admit we really need to know more about being safe online, so here are five easy online resolutions that you and the whole family should keep in 2013:
1. Password protect your devices - Whether it’s your mobile phone or a tablet, make sure you activate password protection. Half of respondents fail to use password protection on their mobile and two fifths do not use it on their tablet.
2. Choose strong passwords - Two fifths of people surveyed have had to change their passwords after a cyber-attack, so it saves time and money to choose a strong password in the first place. Include random letters and numbers as well as being sure to change your passwords to keep them strong.
3. Protect your money - One in ten people have been victims of online credit card fraud. If you are paying for something online, check to make sure the padlock symbol is displayed in the browser frame. Also, the web address should begin with ‘https://’. The ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.
4. Be safe and social - Social networks are a major part of online life, yet the study reveals 12 per cent of people have had a social network profile hacked into and half of people fail to use the highest security levels on Facebook. Keep your profile private and consider checking the security settings so you can control who sees what.
5. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is - Crafty criminals send unsolicited emails claiming that you have won a prize or can sell you something cheaply. If you do not know the sender or the offer comes out of the blue, you should delete the email immediately. You can also report it on our website - getsafeonline.org.
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online said: “Cyber-crime is a serious issue, which costs UK consumers and small businesses a great deal of time, money and inconvenience every year. Of those who experience a cyber-attack, 65 per cent and 75 per cent of people respectively continued to use their laptops, tablets, and smartphones in the same way. Yet, it only takes a few small steps for us to break last year’s habits and make a massive improvement in our online safety. Make sure you don’t get caught out in 2013.”
For more information, go to www.getsafeonline.org
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