Cyber Aware Government campaign launches to help families stay secure online

Addressing online security during the lockdown

The last few weeks have changed the way we use technology in ways we probably never imagined. Very quickly we’ve had to adapt to having our children at home 24/7, to homeschooling, managing the time they spend online, using video conferencing software to keep in touch with family and friends, and more online shopping.

With any change in the way we use technology, it is vital to make sure that you are doing it securely. To help you do this we want to highlight the key things you can do to improve how secure your family is when online.

Advice to protect passwords, accounts, and devices

The National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Cyber Aware campaign encourages the public to take 6 simple, but important steps to stay secure online. The steps focus on using passwords to keep your accounts and information secure; updating your devices (phone, laptop, tablet) to make sure they have the latest security information; and backing up your important information so you can recover it if you get hacked. Following these steps will help protect you against the most common types of attacks.

Alongside these steps that everyone should follow, the NCSC has also provided advice on using video conferencing apps securely and staying secure while playing online games.

New scam reporting service

Whilst there hasn’t been a noticeable increase in the number of phishing or scam emails over the last few weeks, cyber criminals are using the fears of COVID and the health of our families as a hook to reel us in. Perhaps you have received an email that offers new information about access to a vaccine if you follow ‘this link’? If you receive an email that you think looks at all suspicious you can forward it to [email protected]. If anything is found to be malicious the NCSC will take it down and you can help protect others from falling victim to scams.