Councillors and the Clerk were pleased to attend a Cyber security webinar hosted by Cyber Protect Officers at Devon & Cornwall Police. We learned lots of fascinating information about staying safe online and how personal information can be used to trick the unwary into giving unauthorised access to bank accounts or pay for fake online services.
It's a real minefield and scammers are getting more convincing. Here are some useful links that we picked up:
The National Cyber Security Centre: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/ - Great advice on all aspects of cyber security from the NCSC for businesses and individuals
Take Five to Stop Fraud: https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ - Advice on financial and banking fraud
Cyber Aware: https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home - Top tips on passwords, turning on two-factor authentication, back-ups and the importance of updating your devices
Another useful tool, is to input your email address into the ‘Have I Been Pwned’ website and the site will advise if your address has been involved in a data breach: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
- Very useful to check this if you are receiving a lot of spam email in your account. If you find that your account has been compromised, change your password immediately.
Reporting fraud and Cyber Crime to Action Fraud: Telephone number 0300 1232040: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Suspicious emails – forward to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): report@phishing.gov.uk Forward suspicious texts (SMS) to OFCOM: 7726
If you would like advice on securing your router our colleagues in the City of London Police have provided this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfRzIspjJfY