Security matters: staying safe online

Amidst the horrors, outrage and anxiety of current world events, stories have emerged about the role of hackers and online security not only in the conflict in Ukraine but also across the globe.

In fact, cyber security has been a constant threat in most of our lives for a number of years now. And with the rise of rogue states, political unrest and ongoing uncertainty, it is a threat that is only likely to become increasingly relevant.

Thankfully, there are things we can do as individuals to help protect our online safety. But rather than provide our own advice this month, we’ve instead selected some helpful links from around the web to help get you started on your journey to online safety.

Government advice

Perhaps the best place to start is with the government’s own official cyber security advice.

Their tips on password security include the importance of strong and unique passwords, memorable phrases to help you remember them, and Two-Factor Authentication (a subject we’ve recently covered in detail).

Their advice also extends to keeping software up to date and making regular backups.

You can read all the available advice on the NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) website here.

Protect yourself from scams

It may be aimed at a more mature audience, but really the advice from Age UK is applicable to all ages.

Their advice covers a range of online scams from email to fake websites, viruses and more in an easy-to-understand manner, with tips on how to bolster your online safety.

Visit the website for more.

Malware and ransomware

We’ve all read the horror stories about the computers of people and business becoming infected with ransomware. About users being unable to access files and folders or losing thousands through identity theft.

But how do you protect against these ever-present threats?

Back to the NCSC for some helpful official government advice covering just what malware and ransomware are, along with tips on how to defend yourself and what to do if you’ve already been infected.

Read more here.

Online safety tips

While these tips provided by Google are intended more for their own users (many of the examples used refer to Google services), the principles are universal whether you are a google user or not.

Nevertheless, you’ll find more value here if you’re a user of Google’s services or you’re an Android phone owner.

Not to be outdone, however, Apple also provide some useful security tips and information about users of their services, available here.

And for Windows users, Microsoft have also provide some useful advice for protecting your Microsoft account here.