The Spread of Online Dangers Since Lockdown

During the coronavirus emergency lockdown, the internet has been transforming the way we interact, do business and go about our everyday life.

But the worldwide web has always been a sea that harbours many sharks, and like the pathogen we are fighting, these have been adapting to make themselves more dangerous.

In the first three weeks of lockdown in the UK, GCHQ detected about 2,000 distinct online scams relating to the virus emergency – including 471 phony online shops for protective equipment.

In short, taking your online security seriously has never been more critical. The internet’s sharks, like their marine counterparts, never sleep.

Have you been doing those enticing online quizzes we regularly see shared on Facebook, Instagram and other forms of social media? By providing your information to these quizzes, you could be providing valuable data, such as clues to your recovery e-mail questions/answers.

You wouldn’t verbally give clues to your bank PIN number, so don’t let your passwords suffer the same fate.

Creating different passwords for your email and other online accounts is essential. While it’s tempting to always use the same phrase, this gives criminals a pass-key to your entire system. It’s better to get your browser to remember each password.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) suggests using three completely random unrelated words.

For enhanced security, turning on two-step verification – also known as two-factors authentication (TFA) – is a free way to halt unwarranted intrusions.

It is also very important to keep your system up-to-date. Cyber criminals exploit weaknesses in software and apps, so it is necessary to have the latest security patches on your devices.

Even with care, determined hackers can sometimes get through, which is why frequently backing up your important data is best practice.

The NCSC has a range of advice on keeping cyber secure – from video conferences, to on online gaming. At Tickbox we offer security updates as part of our web support retainers. Get in touch for more information.