Keeping Safe Online - (reviewed 2023)
This is based on an 8 March 2022 presentation by cybersecurity expert, Gerry Grant, who spoke to the Guild and guests about how to keep safe online. Here are some of Gerry’s top tips:
Phishing emails
Some are very obvious – the email saying you have inherited $2million dollars; others impersonate a well-known organisation such as Netflix or Amazon; and some fakes are very good. What to look out for:
- Hi, but your name is not included
- An instruction to act now
- A strange email address – hover over the email address and right-click to see whether it is genuine or not
- A link to a website – don’t click! Instead, open your browser and search for the company’s website there
- Be cautious and think twice – there is no urgency and if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right
- Forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk who investigate and catch scammers
Phishing texts
- These impersonate organisations such as Argos, HMRC
- They are often topical, eg Covid-related and there is likely to be a spate purporting to be Ukraine charities
- Be cautious and think twice – there is no urgency and if it doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t right
- Forward the text to 7726 for free – the National Cyber Security Centre investigate and catch scammers
Passwords
- The longer the better – minimum 12 characters
- 3 random words together – easier to remember and easier than a 12-letter word, eg Boatfoodsing
- The space bar is your friend – it is a separate character
- Ensure that key accounts have unique passwords - password for your email and for your bank account
- It’s okay to keep your passwords in a notebook – but not beside your laptop – keep hidden
- Use a password manager
Other security measures
- Turn on two-factor authentication – used in eg online banking – requiring a password and code
- Always do security updates on your devices as these fix security holes
- Mobile device pin-code should be at least 6 digits
Remember
- Phishing emails are blanket attacks, not aimed at you specifically but sent to many thousands of people
2022: reviewed 2023
- If you get a phone call from a suspicious caller, it’s okay to hang up!
- Be vigilant – stop and think before responding – there’s no rush
- These are professional criminals and we can all get caught out, so don’t be embarrassed and let someone know if it’s happened so that action can be taken