Today is ‘Get Safe Online Day’

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Over 30% of fraud cases reported to Jersey Police in 2014 and 2015 were as a result of cyber-crime.

Fraud costs the UK £11billion a year and today, Jersey Police and ‘Prison! Me! No Way!’ have teamed up to urge people and small businesses in Jersey to start making every day safer online.

Jersey Police say too many people are still no taking basic steps to keep themselves safe online, especially by using the same password for multiple online accounts. Even when a company warns people to change their passwords after a breach in security, some people choose not to follow that advice.

Over half of the UK population have received fraudulent emails or messages attempting to direct them to websites where their personal information can be stolen, including bank details, user names and passwords. Over a quarter have been contacted by someone trying to trick them into giving away their personal information and just over a fifth have had their email or social media accounts hacked.

Lesley Harrison, Chairman of ‘Prison! Me! No Way!’ Jersey said: "Today's children are growing up online and make little distinction between life online and off. Their use of online games, apps and services plays a crucial role in the development of their identities, friendships, relationships, passions and aspirations. It is essential that we respond by offering them high quality online safety education that will enable them to make positive choices that will keep them safe, and also enable them to recognise the consequences and relevant laws."

This year’s ‘Get Safe Online Day’ encourages people to start making every day safer by following a few simple steps:

• Review the passwords you use on your online accounts: Make sure they’re strong enough and that you’re not using the same ones for more than one account. Consider how you’re going to remember them all – such as using an online password safe.
• Check your social media privacy settings. Make sure your information and updates are seen only by those you trust.
• Update your operating system and software programs/apps on your computer, mobile phone and tablet if you’ve been prompted to do so. It takes only a few minutes and with your mobile devices, you can even do it while you’re asleep.
• Back up your information – using the cloud is a great way to save all your documents, photos, music, emails and other irreplaceable files.
• Check that your internet security software and apps are up to date and switched on.
• If you have children, think about whether you’re doing enough to help ensure they’re staying safe online.
• If you’ve lost money or are a victim of online abuse or harassment you should report it to the States of Jersey Police who will help you as to what to do next. The police will also liaise with the UK’s National Fraud reporting centre.

Superintendent James Wileman said: “We should all ask ourselves if we are doing everything we can to protect ourselves from online criminals. Unfortunately, people still click on links in unsolicited emails and fail to update their security software. Just as you wouldn’t leave your door unlocked, you shouldn’t leave yourself unprotected online.”

‘Get Safe Online Day,’ now in its 11th year, is about raising awareness of online’ security issues and giving consumers the information they need to use the internet safely and confidently. For more information on ‘Get Safe Online Day,’ please visit here