Tips to avoid scams and stay safe online

When you hear about the increasingly devious methods criminals use to target people of all ages online, it can make you wonder how anyone manages to use a computer safely.

But the good news is that there are lots of precautions you can take to minimise your risk of being scammed. In fact, being aware of scammers and alert to the possibility that an unexpected email or message popping up on your screen might not be legitimate are good first steps to keeping you safe.

Here are some other key actions you can take that will help you get online and use your smartphone or computer with confidence.

Passwords:

Use strong passwords or use a password manager app to generate a strong password for you. Consider backing it up with Multi Factor Authentication or facial recognition. Once this is set up, you shouldn’t have to do it again.

Update your software:

When you are prompted to do an update, do it right away. Sometimes they include a security update that you don’t want to miss.

Check the legitimacy of websites:

Instead of clicking on links in emails or adverts, go directly to the website you want to access. Check the address very carefully. Criminals are adept at making tiny changes to website addresses that at first glance look official. For example, using rn instead of m. It’s hard to spot.  Be vigilant.

Use antivirus software:

Download it from a trusted source and keep it updated.

Take care on social media:

• Check and update your privacy settings. Be mindful of what you share online and avoid posting information that reveals too many personal details. Think twice before accepting friend requests from strangers.  
• Close or delete old accounts. And be cautious if engaging in online conversations with people you don’t know.

Email safety:

Hopefully, your network will have a strong filter to avoid the avalanche of junk emails that will come your way. But even those that drop into your inbox need to be treated with caution. Don’t click on links inside emails, even those from family or friends, or open emails from people you don’t know. Better to delete unread.

A current scam doing the rounds is a plea from a family member saying they have lost their phone or access to their email and are contacting you because they need money urgently. (It’s almost always true that anything labelled urgent is a scam.) Delete without responding.

Smartphones and tablets:

• Keep them PIN protected and consider setting up facial recognition to access the device.
• Don’t leave your smart phone open in public places.
• Download apps only from legitimate sources – Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Be cautious with QR codes – you can’t see where these are going to take you, so be mindful of the source and don’t enter personal info without checking you have accessed a legitimate site.

Back up your data:

If you do experience online crime or lose access to your device and data, having your files backed up can help you recover them more easily.

And if the worst does happen?

Firstly, don’t be embarrassed. Anyone can fall for a scam. It does not reflect badly on you. You can report online criminal activity to the police and expect it to be taken seriously.