Be secure online :Cross Stitch – Home and community
You need to know how to protect yourself and your computer when you are using the internet. Otherwise, you may be at risk from online fraud and your personal details might not stay safe. Find out about the most common risks and the steps you can take to avoid them.
Most people store a lot of personal information on their computers. If you don’t protect your computer properly when you are online, it’s possible that personal details could be stolen or deleted without you even realising.
Your computer can be attacked in a number of ways over the internet. Viruses and spy-ware can delete files and allow criminals to scan your computer for personal information. Your computer could even be hacked (where a person gains access to your computer over the internet or through your wireless network).
Get Safe Online has detailed information about the risks to you and your computer and how to deal with them.
There are many easy things you can do to make you and your computer more secure when you are on the internet or in a public place.
Many websites use passwords to protect your identity. If passwords get into the wrong hands or are easy to guess, your personal details will be easily accessible.
Good passwords should:
- never be shared (including with helpline staff), written down or observed
- be at least seven characters long
- be a mixture of lower and upper case letters, numbers and other keyboard characters
- changed regularly – every three months is good guide
- not be the same on all the sites you use
If you’re accessing a site where you have provided personal details or a password, always log off and close your browser window when you’ve finished. This is especially important if you are using a shared computer – for example, in an internet café or a library.
Make sure you collect anything you print out from the printer, or your personal details might fall into the wrong hands.
There are a few steps you can take to shop online safely and keep your financial details secure.
Before you buy
Before you buy online, note down the address, telephone and/or fax of the company you’re buying from. Never rely on just an email address.
Always use secure sites
Sites with ‘https’ in front of the web address mean the site is using a secure link to your computer. A yellow padlock symbol will appear in the browser window to show the payment process is secure.
When buying online:
- never transfer or receive money for someone else
- check the site’s privacy and returns policy
- print out a copy of your order and any acknowledgement you receive
- check your bank statement carefully against anything you buy online
- keep your passwords secure
- take your time making decisions that involve parting with money
- get independent financial advice before making investments
- only do business with companies you recognise or have been recommended by someone you trust – don’t judge a company on how professional their website looks
- if in doubt, check a company is genuine by looking them up on Companies House or the Financial Services Authority (FSA) websites
Using strong passwords is especially important when you’re spending money online. For advice on how to choose a strong password, see ‘Use strong passwords’ near the beginning of this page.