Top tips to keep the cyber criminals out
Fraud and cybercrime are the most common criminal offences in the UK. Analysis of Action Fraud reports showed that 86% of frauds had a cyber element to them. As the threat from cyber crime continues to grow and evolve, it’s important to remember one thing - most of it can be prevented. By following just a few quick and simple steps, you can make it harder for cyber criminals to get into your devices and online accounts. Here’s what you need to do:
Create a separate password for your email:
Your personal email account contains lots of important information about you and is the gateway to all your other online accounts. If your email account is hacked all your other passwords can be reset, so use a strong password that is different to all your others.
How to reset your email password: Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Outlook, BT, AOL Mail.
Create a strong password using three random words:
Weak passwords can be hacked in seconds. The longer and more unusual your password is, the stronger it becomes and the harder it is to hack. The best way to make your password long and difficult to hack is by using a sequence of three random words you'll remember. You can make it even stronger with special characters. Starting with your most important accounts (such as email, banking and social media), replace your old passwords with new ones. Just connect three random - but memorable - words together.
Save your passwords in your browser:
Using the same passwords for all your accounts makes you vulnerable - if that one password is stolen all your accounts can be accessed.
It’s good practice to use different passwords for the accounts you care most about. Of course, remembering lots of passwords can be difficult, but if you save them in your browser then you don’t have to. Online service providers are constantly updating their software to keep sensitive personal data secure, so store your passwords in your browser when prompted; it’s quick, convenient and safer than re-using the same password.
For information about how to save your passwords in the browser, visit: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari.
Turn on two-factor authentication:
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a free security feature that gives you an extra layer of protection online and stops cyber criminals getting into your accounts - even if they have your password. 2FA reduces the risk of being hacked by asking you to provide a second factor of information, such as getting a text or code when you log in, to check you are who you say you are.
Check if the online services and apps you use offer 2FA – it’s also called two-step verification or multi-factor authentication. If they do, turn it on. Start with the accounts you care most about such as your email and social media.
For more information about how to enable 2FA, please visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home#section_4
Update your devices:
Cyber criminals exploit weaknesses in software and apps to access your sensitive personal data, but providers are continually working to keep you secure by releasing regular updates. These updates fix weaknesses, so criminals can't access your data. Using the latest versions of software, apps and operating system on your phone, tablet, or smart device can immediately improve your security.
Remember to update regularly, or set your phone, tablet or smart device to automatically update so you don’t have to think about it.
For information about how to enable automatic updates, please visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home#section_5
Turn on backups:
If your phone, tablet or laptop is hacked, your sensitive personal data could be lost, damaged or stolen. Make sure you keep a copy of all your important information by backing it up. You can choose to back up all your data or only information that is important to you.
For information about how to enable backups, please visit: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home#section_6