Cyber crime is on the rise and is something everyone with a connected device (be that a smartphone, computer, internet-ready TV, gaming system or anything in-between) is vulnerable to.
Cyber-enabled fraud is possibly the most common of all cybercrime offences. The internet allows offenders to hide their identities behind websites and email addresses, providing a forum in which they never have to meet a victim in person to commit the crime.
It is estimated 80% of fraud and cyber crime is preventable if individuals and businesses take basic precautions – so below are the top five tips to help keep you safe online:
- Always be wary of opening links and attachments in email – check that the email is really from who it says it is from.
- Have strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts – and update them regularly.
- Look for ‘https’ in the address bar and a padlock symbol in your internet browser when visiting sites – these give an indication that the website is secure.
- Get anti-virus software for your computer, phone and other devices.
- Remember to keep your software updated to reduce your chances of hackers being able to exploit security weaknesses to take over your device.
Cyber Safe Warwickshire
The Commissioner has funded the Cyber Safe Warwickshire website to help residents and businesses learn about the latest threats as they emerge and how they can keep safe when they go online.
With information on the latest online scams, incidents of fraud, advice on social media and cyber bullying, including a dedicated section for young adults, there’s a whole host of information to help you understand the best way to stay safe.
Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands
Using a combination of police officers and cyber talent, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands supports and helps protect small business, SMEs, and supply chain businesses and third sector organisations in the region against cybercrime.
The Centre works with local universities and the police forces, which provides access to the latest local as well as national information on emerging cyber threats, criminal trends, best practice for cyber resilience and new technology to provide timely guidance to prepare and protect business, staff, and clients from cyber criminals.
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime and is run by the City of London Police as a national service.
After a report has been made to Action Fraud, it will be sent for assessment by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). The NFIB’s systems assess reports of fraud and cybercrime from across the UK, helping to build a national picture of where fraud and cybercrime is taking place. Experts review the data from these reports to decide whether there is enough information to send to a local police force for investigation. Action Fraud is not an investigative body and therefore cannot guarantee or prompt a police investigation.
