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Hi Mates
Latest News from Cyber-scams & Fraud update from the Northumbria Police Force Specialist Cyber Investigation Team. sorry I am a little late but been busy on my charity website.
Improve your cybersecurity this festive period
Due to coronavirus, more people are shopping online.
This means more opportunities for hackers to carry out cyber attacks. They often do this by targeting people and businesses using:
You can improve your cybersecurity by taking six actions:
Hackers can get access to your account by using software to crack your password, by trying one password in lots of places or by trying to trick you into disclosing your password through scams.
Creating strong, separate passwords and storing them safely is a good way to protect yourself online.
Action 1
Use a strong and separate password for your email
If a hacker gets into your email, they could:
Using 3 random words is a good way to create a strong, unique password that you will remember.
You should also protect your other important accounts, such as banking or social media.
How to change your email password
Advice on passwords for sole traders and small businesses
Why email is so important
Did you know?
If a hacker gets into your email, they could reset the passwords for your other accounts using the ‘forgot password’ feature.
Action 2
Create strong passwords using 3 random words
When you use different passwords for your important accounts, it can be hard to remember them all.
A good way to create strong, memorable passwords is by using 3 random words.
Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet’s name). You can include numbers and symbols if you need to. For example, “RedPantsTree4!”
Saving your passwords in your browser will help you manage them.
Test your knowledge
Which one of these passwords do not appear in the top 100,000 most compromised passwords?
arsenal22
1v7Upjw3nt
p@55w0rd
RedPantsTree
victoria!
20111977
Action 3
Save your passwords in your browser
Saving your password in your browser means letting your web browser (such as Chrome, Safari or Edge) remember your password for you.
This can help:
Make sure you protect your saved passwords in case your device is lost or stolen.
How to protect your saved passwords
How to save your passwords in your browser
Did you know?
You can access your saved passwords from any device where you are signed into the same browser.
Add extra protection
Once you’ve set up strong, separate passwords for all your devices and services, there are other things you can do to reduce your risk of being hacked.
Action 4
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) helps to stop hackers from getting into your accounts, even if they have your password.
Some online banking uses 2FA automatically. It does this by asking for more information to prove your identity, such as:
How to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
How 2FA works
Action 5
Update your devices
Out-of-date software, apps, and operating systems contain weaknesses. This makes it easier to hack.
Companies fix their weaknesses by releasing updates. When you update your devices and software, this helps to keep hackers out.
Turn on automatic updates for your devices and software that offer it. This will mean you do not have to remember each time.
Some devices and software need to be updated manually. You may get reminders on your phone or computer. Do not ignore these reminders. Updating will help to keep you safe online.
How to turn on automatic updates
Test your knowledge
How do companies fix weaknesses in their software?
Bandage
Patch
Repair
Make sure you can recover quickly
A cyber attack may mean you lose some or all of your data, such as pictures, documents, or financial or client information. Backing up regularly will help you get back on track.
Action 6
Back up your data
Backing up means creating a copy of your information and saving it to another device or to cloud storage (online).
Backing up regularly means you will always have a recent version of your information saved. This will help you recover quicker if your data is lost or stolen.
You can also turn on automatic backup. This will regularly save your information into cloud storage, without you having to remember.
If you back up your information to a USB stick or an external hard drive, disconnect it from your computer when a back up isn’t being done.
How to turn on automatic backup
Advice on backups for sole traders and small businesses
Did you know?
You should always back up your data before updating your device.
This is because updates can sometimes remove or change files.
More tips on how to stay safe online
Phishing: How to report to NCSC
Discover how to report a potential phishing message to the NCSC using the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS).
Learn more
Shopping online securely
Our guidance will help you to avoid scam
Latest News from Cyber-scams & Fraud update from the Northumbria Police Force Specialist Cyber Investigation Team. sorry I am a little late but been busy on my charity website.
Improve your cybersecurity this festive period
Due to coronavirus, more people are shopping online.
This means more opportunities for hackers to carry out cyber attacks. They often do this by targeting people and businesses using:
- email and website scams
- malware - software that can damage your device or let a hacker in
You can improve your cybersecurity by taking six actions:
- Use a strong and separate password for your email
- Create strong passwords using 3 random words
- Save your passwords in your browser
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Update your devices
- Back up your data
Hackers can get access to your account by using software to crack your password, by trying one password in lots of places or by trying to trick you into disclosing your password through scams.
Creating strong, separate passwords and storing them safely is a good way to protect yourself online.
Action 1
Use a strong and separate password for your email
If a hacker gets into your email, they could:
- reset your other account passwords
- access information you have saved about yourself or your business
Using 3 random words is a good way to create a strong, unique password that you will remember.
You should also protect your other important accounts, such as banking or social media.
How to change your email password
Advice on passwords for sole traders and small businesses
Why email is so important
Did you know?
If a hacker gets into your email, they could reset the passwords for your other accounts using the ‘forgot password’ feature.
Action 2
Create strong passwords using 3 random words
When you use different passwords for your important accounts, it can be hard to remember them all.
A good way to create strong, memorable passwords is by using 3 random words.
Do not use words that can be guessed (like your pet’s name). You can include numbers and symbols if you need to. For example, “RedPantsTree4!”
Saving your passwords in your browser will help you manage them.
Test your knowledge
Which one of these passwords do not appear in the top 100,000 most compromised passwords?
arsenal22
1v7Upjw3nt
p@55w0rd
RedPantsTree
victoria!
20111977
Action 3
Save your passwords in your browser
Saving your password in your browser means letting your web browser (such as Chrome, Safari or Edge) remember your password for you.
This can help:
- make sure you do not lose or forget your passwords
- protect you against some cybercrime, such as fake websites
Make sure you protect your saved passwords in case your device is lost or stolen.
How to protect your saved passwords
How to save your passwords in your browser
Did you know?
You can access your saved passwords from any device where you are signed into the same browser.
Add extra protection
Once you’ve set up strong, separate passwords for all your devices and services, there are other things you can do to reduce your risk of being hacked.
Action 4
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) helps to stop hackers from getting into your accounts, even if they have your password.
Some online banking uses 2FA automatically. It does this by asking for more information to prove your identity, such as:
- a PIN, password or code
- Biometrics - a fingerprint or face ID
How to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
How 2FA works
Action 5
Update your devices
Out-of-date software, apps, and operating systems contain weaknesses. This makes it easier to hack.
Companies fix their weaknesses by releasing updates. When you update your devices and software, this helps to keep hackers out.
Turn on automatic updates for your devices and software that offer it. This will mean you do not have to remember each time.
Some devices and software need to be updated manually. You may get reminders on your phone or computer. Do not ignore these reminders. Updating will help to keep you safe online.
How to turn on automatic updates
Test your knowledge
How do companies fix weaknesses in their software?
Bandage
Patch
Repair
Make sure you can recover quickly
A cyber attack may mean you lose some or all of your data, such as pictures, documents, or financial or client information. Backing up regularly will help you get back on track.
Action 6
Back up your data
Backing up means creating a copy of your information and saving it to another device or to cloud storage (online).
Backing up regularly means you will always have a recent version of your information saved. This will help you recover quicker if your data is lost or stolen.
You can also turn on automatic backup. This will regularly save your information into cloud storage, without you having to remember.
If you back up your information to a USB stick or an external hard drive, disconnect it from your computer when a back up isn’t being done.
How to turn on automatic backup
Advice on backups for sole traders and small businesses
Did you know?
You should always back up your data before updating your device.
This is because updates can sometimes remove or change files.
More tips on how to stay safe online
Phishing: How to report to NCSC
Discover how to report a potential phishing message to the NCSC using the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS).
Learn more
Shopping online securely
Our guidance will help you to avoid scam
