This Tuesday 7th February is Safer Internet Day, an important day in the calendar each year to raise awareness with young people of the dangers presented by the internet.
Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 180 countries and territories worldwide. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.
Crown Vocational Training continue to promote awareness of cyber security issues by providing free training within all of our curriculum areas, ensuring every learner is given access to training during their programmes.
Top tips for this year’s #SaferInternetDay
- Use 3 random words to create a strong password for your email that’s different to all your other passwords, to prevent criminals accessing your personal information.
- Over 14,000 people reported their email or social media accounts hacked last year. If you are offered 2 step verification to protect your email or social media accounts, always use it.
- Do you know who’s behind that profile photo? Criminals are experts at impersonation; creating fake profiles to try and commit fraud. Stay one step ahead of them by researching the person you’re talking to and avoid sending money to someone you’ve never met in person.
- Never allow remote access to your computer following an unsolicited call, text message or browser pop-up.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails, text or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets as it could protect you and your money
Reporting scam e-mails and text messages
If you receive an email you think is suspicious, forward it to: report@phishing.gov.uk
If you spot something suspicious about a test message you have received, forward the text to 7726 (free)
