Magazine Articles - 6 - Focus Magazines for Over Wyre and Garstang
Everything ... needs YOU to either do or not do certain things...Computer Safety no. 5: 01-May-2013
After looking at the basics for hardware and software in previous months, it’s time to turn to the user side of things – this means you!
Everything we’ve covered so far needs YOU to either do or not do certain things, eg. make sure that updates are applied and security programs enabled. There are a number of other aspects where the user is key, as a machine which is fully updated and protected by security software is still at risk if for example the bad guys get hold of your passwords. So let’s start by looking at some of the general ways you can safeguard your activities – both online and away from the computer.
The handling of scam phone calls has been mentioned before, but it’s worth repeating that companies such as Microsoft do not ring people up to say that you have a problem on your computer. If you receive any calls asking about computer problems, please just say ‘no thank you’ and hang up. Do not give any of your details, especially your logins or passwords, and please don’t follow any instructions they give you to type on the computer. Similarly BT do not ring to collect a credit card payment for an unpaid bill which you are unaware of, with a threat to immediately disconnect your phone if you don’t pay.
Some recent police advice regarding bank and credit card thefts etc was: “These fraudsters can be highly persuasive, so our message to customers is simple: your bank or the police will never call, visit or email you to request your login details or PIN, or to collect your card. If you receive such a request, it will always be fraud, so protect yourself and call the police.”
If you are concerned about any call, make a note straight away with as much detailas possible....If you are concerned about any call, make a note straight away with as much detailas possible about what they said and try doing 1471 to get their number (although this is usually ‘withheld’). Then ask a friend or family member, or another expert, for advice or phone the police.
The same advice about not giving information away applies to emails too, and this will be covered next month.
In the meantime, don’t forget to check out some of the advice available on the Get Safe Online website at www.getsafeonline.org, and if you have any questions or concerns about security, then please do give me a ring for a quick chat..
>> Back to Online Safety page...
Publication Details
- Date: May/June 2013
- Publication: Over Wyre Focus & Garstang Focus
- Page: Over Wyre - 38 / Garstang - 27
- Link: www.focusmags.co.uk
