The online world's a great place - with the right tools you can keep it that way. However, you need to develop a sixth sense for detecting the very real threat of scammers, phishing and fraud.

• Passwords 

Spend some time to make sure your passwords are secure and strong. Stay away from using your date of birth or 12345! Make it something you can remember, but which isn’t obvious to others.

• Emails offering low costs drugs & medicines

Whether it’s Zocor, Prozac, Viagra, emails offering branded low cost emails are a real source of profit for scammers.

• Emails asking for your email login or to login to verify your email settings.

The email login page merely captures your username and password for later use by the scammer. Sometimes scammers will send a false notice that your email account is full, or that a payment needs to be confirmed.

• Privacy Settings

If you are using social media, make sure to go to the settings page so you can decide on the privacy level you want. Who do you want to see your posts? You may not want people seeing your date of birth or other details.

• Don’t Click on Links in “bank” emails

Your bank will not send you an email asking you for your personal details or your bank number. If they really are your bank, they already know these details. If in doubt, ring them.

• Competitions

Do not enter a competition which asks for money or for details which are personal.

• Online Shopping

Stick to tried and trusted websites. Double check that the website isn’t fake. If it looks strange, it may well be fake. Online offers which are true good to be true usually are just that.    

• Unexpected Emails or Phonecalls

If you get an email claiming to be from government agencies or requesting bill payment, look at it carefully. Does the email address look odd? Double check that this is not a scam.

• Online Vouchers

If you are buying a restaurant voucher, for example, double check the terms and conditions and the expiry date. A lot of good offers online have a short timeframe in which to use the offer.

• Online Banking

Keep an eye on your account. If you see a transaction you don’t remember making, check with your bank.

• Use a Spam Filter and Antivirus Software

This will help avoid endless unwanted emails.

• Use Good Internet Software

Make sure you have anti-virus and security on your PC, laptop, tablet and/or phone, to keep you protected online.

BeSecureOnline - Internet Security Software and Online Safety UK  

At BeSecureOnline we provide a range of online security products to keep you safe online. Contact us for more details.