A new strain of ransomware has appeared in multiple countries. On June 27, 2017, Petya ransomware emerged and began spreading itself to large organizations across Europe. This ransomware uses what is called the Eternal Blue exploit in Windows computers. It is not impacting individual users at the time of this writing.
Posted in online safety , online security and online security tips
Researchers have recently discovered more than 800 apps on the Google Play store that contain an information-stealing ad library dubbed Xavier. Google has been notified and has already removed a number of the apps containing the malicious ad library from the Google Play Store.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
We all have secrets. Some we are ashamed to share and some we are afraid to share. Where does your password fit in? In practice, it should be a little bit of both. It is common sense to know the dangers and outcomes of sharing your passwords.
Posted in online safety , online security and online security tips
The noughties has been the age where consumers and businesses finally realised the convenience of cloud storage and computing – and rightly so! Your data and documents are now readily available, easily accessible and taking up virtually no extra personal space.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Late last week, reports emerged of a variant of ransomware known as “WannaCry” began infecting around 90,000 Windows computers, and was spotted in about 70 countries.
A well-known form of malware, ransomware ruthlessly holds a computers data for ransom via encryption. If the user doesn’t pay the cybercriminal a certain amount of money within a certain frame of time, their data will be lost forever.
Posted in blog , online safety , online security and online threats
Phones break, tablets get stolen, laptops get taken over by viruses that corrupt files and computers just die a natural death. No matter how fancy or pricey your equipment is, there are some elements that are bound to overpower it. What have you lost? Data? Money? Memories? Is there a price tag you put on what was lost?
As a part of good cyber habits, make backing up an important part of your digital life. Here are a few top reasons why backing up your devices is one of the most important things one can do to live a safe digital life:
Posted in family security , online safety and online security
Everybody has done it. At least once, but probably a lot more. Maybe daily. Maybe even hourly. But just because everybody else is connecting to the Internet via free public Wi-Fi doesn’t mean you should, too.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
College can be one of the best experiences of your life, forging new skills through learning and personal connections while also enjoying a great social life. It is also a time for serious choices that will shape your future and starting with the right online protection is one of them to ensure there are no bumps in your career development.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Social media use has become synonymous with travel—people are constantly posting holiday snaps on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and a multitude of other social platforms. As fun as it may be to let the world know the exciting experiences you’re having, it’s still important to consider the safety aspect of using social media no matter if you are home or abroad. Here’s our essential tips for safe social media use:
Posted in online safety , online safety tips and online security tips
Millennials have grown up with the online world but are they more security conscious than their predecessors - Baby Boomers? Who shares their passwords without a worry and who is more likely to be the victim of cybercrime?
Find out more…
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
The possessed television from Poltergeist may be the stuff of nightmares but creepware can transform your computer into something from a horror film. Imagine if your laptop was watching you, recording your every move and threatening to ruin your reputation. That’s a reality for many victims of creepware.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Nobody likes the thought of their digital life being held hostage for a large ransom...
Posted in how to guides , online safety and online security
You’re connected to the internet right now—whether it’s wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable. But have you stopped to think about how safe your connection actually is? Is someone somewhere watching you as you read this article?
Posted in online safety , online security and optimise your device
Symantec Celebrates Safer Internet Day by Uniting for a Better Internet.
Sad. Freak. Crybaby. Loser.
These words all sound pretty harsh, right? They do not feel very good to read here, but imagine them directed at you personally. In the world of child and teen online activity, these types of words can become all too familiar to the millions of children cyberbullied each year around the world.
Posted in family security , online safety and online security
Having a productive and safe online digital life is important. You need a full-service Internet security suite to protect you from emerging threats online. If you’ve been looking around for products, you’ve probably noticed there are lots of options out there that are completely free and there are some that require a purchase. Taking the free option might seem like the most attractive option, but it’s not. In fact, free Internet security software isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why:
Posted in online safety , online security and optimise your device
Keeping safe online is a big deal. While we all want to take it seriously, sometimes the vocabulary can be very complicated—especially if you’re not the most tech savvy. What exactly do all those phrases mean?
Posted in online safety , online safety tips and online security
When you think of a disaster, you probably imagine tornadoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes—environmental events that can devastate a community or continent. Digital disasters are a bit harder to imagine, and that’s because they’re not apparent among the tangible analog affected by similar disasters.
Digital disasters are characterized by less visible qualities, all of which disturb, damage, or delete the digitalized data, records, and information stored by an individual, company, or organization
Posted in how to guides , online safety and optimise your device
Children are among the most active Internet users, and are unfortunately exposed to a number of threats lurking online. If you allow your children to spend considerable time surfing the web, it’s important to know what they face so you may deal with them accordingly. But what are some of the most common online threats to children that you should know about?
Posted in family security , online safety and parental control software
Safer Internet Day is fast approaching and on February 7th online users are being encouraged to unite to make the online world a safer place with this year’s theme being “Be the change, unite for a better internet”.
Have you considered how you can keep your family's personal information safe in the digital world?
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Picture the scenario: your poor nan has already been scammed once before. She received an email from a long-lost aunt in Honolulu who offered her the chance of an emotional reunion. She clicked the link or wrote back and began a chain of communication that resulted in the loss of a small fortune.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
There’s a new kind of crime in town and it’s starting to make itself known. You may have heard about it in the news, read about it online or worse still, you could have already been a victim. Its name is Ransomware and you certainly don’t want to be inviting it around to your house for high tea.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Social media usually only appears in the news when it’s at its worst: when predators are poaching potential prey online; when people are threatened by violence; or when hate groups find a place to coordinate.
Posted in how to guides , online safety and social media
There was a time when Spam was just processed meat in can. Like it or love it was something you put on your dinner plate. Today, however, it’s come to mean something totally different—and its meaning seems to be changing all the time, as spam tactics and cyber threats get more sophisticated.
Posted in how to guides , online safety and online security
The notion of someone taking over your computer and watching you through your webcam may sound like something from James Bond but hackers are already using this technology. Spyware is a serious threat and victims are often unaware that they’re being spied on.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online security
Free Wi-Fi hotspots are a great convenience that allow us to connect to information and people while on the move. Whether it's at the local coffee shop, restaurant or travelling further afield free public Wi-Fi is no longer just something we do when on holidays.
We use it every day, in ever growing places for pleasure and sometimes when travelling for business but while it makes our lives easier to connect to public networks, it also presents a risk to the personal information on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online security
As the most popular travel days of the year approach, many holiday travelers are creating mental checklists for navigating busy airports on their journey home — most likely with their trusty mobile devices in hand and laptops in their bags. To save fliers the headache and heartbreak of having their devices compromised en route to Christmas with the family, here’s a handy checklist to keep smartphones, tablets, and laptops safe while spending time in an airport.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online safety tips
Your digital world can be a busy place but have you thought of how you’re connecting every day to your online life?
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online security tips
Most internet users have encountered spyware at some stage but few people actually know much about it...
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Spear phishing may sound like something Bear Grylls does at the weekends but it’s actually a pretty sneaky form of cyber-attack. Most people will be familiar with phishing – and spear phishing is like its smarter little brother...
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
The festive season is a time of merriment for one and all. That includes scammers, fraudsters, and thieves too who use this time of the year to do their worst.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
You don’t have to be a super nerd to know how to protect yourself from cyber criminals and hackers. They might know more about computers and software than you do however, there are some basic defenses at your disposal to help you stand up against even the most sophisticated online threats.
Posted in online safety , online security and online security tips
Having a mobile device has become one of life’s essentials and when a loss or theft occurs it can be a sickening feeling, and often one that can be pretty stressful.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety , online security tips and online threats
While many of us safeguard our desktops and laptops from a cavalcade of online threats, we’re much more lax about our phones. We download apps without a second thought or log into our bank accounts on public networks where just about anyone could be watching in.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety , online security tips and online threats
One night of the year ghosts and goblins are free to haunt us. Malware and viruses, however, are free to terrorize us all year long. Here’s our…Five most frightful viruses terrorizing computer users everywhere.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
Did you know? 83% of people in the UK fear their information can be stolen when using public Wi-Fi…but only 16% do something to prevent it.*
Surfing the Web or transacting on an unsecured Wi-Fi network means you’re placing your private information and anonymity at risk. That’s why a virtual private network, better known as a VPN, is a must for anyone worried about their online security and privacy. No matter if your connecting to free wifi hotspots for pleasure or while travelling for business keeping your information safe on public networks is important.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online security
Phishing can sometimes be dismissed as a less serious type of cybercrime but it can have devastating effects on people’s lives. How much damage could a scammer seriously do with some login details or some random personal information, you ask? Well, a lot as it turns out.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
If you have a Yahoo account, you need to change your password now. If you reuse that password on any other online accounts, you should change that too.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
When you invest in a new PC, mobile or tablet it can be a pretty exciting time. From engaging in online experiences to getting lost in toying with its advanced technical capabilities, a new device opens up a world of possibilities to be ever more connected online. But, with these new experiences, come new challenges to protect your identity and personal data. We’ve put together a handy guide to new device safety to help you get the most from your new tech.
Posted in how to guides , mobile safety and online safety
Social media can be a wonderful place to stay connected with family, friends and to view the world going by. But, did you know every year millions of people fall victim to social media scams?
Posted in online safety , online security tips and social media
Have you ever wondered if it’s safe to use public Wi-Fi? It’s a question we should all ask ourselves as we more and more utilize free Wi-Fi connections.
Posted in mobile safety , online safety and online security
For many parents, attempting to keep their children safe online is a daily task. From smartphones to tablets, messaging apps to 24/7 audio visual experiences, growing up in today’s world is a lot different than how we might have experienced it. But, how can you protect your children from a threat landscape and a platform that has become ingrained in their upbringing?
Posted in family security , online safety and social media
A lot of money changes hands in the build up to the new school year. Because it’s a big time for businesses and every parent and student has an eye on bargains, it’s also a key time for scammers and criminals to try to find a way into your wallet. Here’s our advice to avoiding their latest tactics.
Posted in digital trends , family security and online safety
We all use search engines on a daily basis. It’s become routine in many of our lives. If we don’t know what something is, or hear a word that we can’t define, we go online and type the term into our favorite search engine. And voila, we have our answer in seconds.
Posted in online safety , online security and online security tips
Parenting is a fast paced life. One minute it’s caring for the family nest to juggling the dawn scramble for p.e. kit , packing lunchboxes and dealing with tantrums at all hours of the day. We take on a multitude of professions offline over the course of our children’s lives - Taxi driver, chef even IT specialist, that some might think a parent has superhuman powers.
Posted in family security , online safety and parental control software
Two English strikers. Two top scorers in this season’s Premier League. A mobile back four and a proven goalkeeper. A twenty year old whiz kid at the base of midfield and a record breaking goal scorer at the helm, there have been rumblings, that this could be England’s year.
And with Euro 2016 fast approaching, many residents are scrambling for tickets to see their team do battle in France.
Posted in online safety , online security and online security tips
Phishing is when someone tries to get you to give them your private login information. That could be in the form of an instant message that asks, a phony online form made to look legitimate or, increasingly, a text or SMS message.
In the latter form this is known as “smishing.” Smishing is an emerging and growing threat in the world of online security. Read on to learn what smishing is and how you can protect yourself against it.
Posted in blog , online safety , online security and online security tips
Of the 7.4 Billion people that inhabit this planet, data compiled by Statista indicates that close to 2 Billion of us indulge in video games; there are now more gamers than the collective population of China and the U.S.
Posted in gaming and entertainment , online safety and online security
With the recent news that some of the UK’s major banking companies will be offering their customers the chance to use fingerprint or voice authentication to access their bank accounts biometrics are very much in the spotlight. So, what exactly are biometrics and how could they possibly be as secure as they seem?
Posted in digital trends , online safety and online threats
You’ve heard of carjacking, and may recall Nicolas Cage’s performance in Con Air—an action-packed thriller about dangerous prisoners hijacking a plane. Now it’s time to familiarize yourself with Clickjacking, an Internet scam that’s out to steal your clicks.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
According to recent UK Online Dating Statistics, 1 in 5 relationships in Great Britain now start online and with a study published by a leading matchmaking website suggesting that by 2031 that figure could well be 1 in 2 it is apparent that most of the stigma surrounding online dating has dissipated.
Posted in blog , digital trends and online safety
It’s official! Norton Security has won ‘Best Protection’ for home users in the 2015 AV-TEST Awards for its “high security performance protection without exception in all the certification tests”*.
Posted in online safety and online security
We hear a lot in the news these days about companies and prominent individuals and celebrities being hacked. However, did you know that anyone with an online presence can potentially have their accounts or online profiles hacked? Do you know what steps you should take if you have discovered you've been hacked?
Posted in online safety , online security tips and online threats
How do you create a strong password? It is vitally important that you secure your online accounts with strong passwords that are difficult for any would be cyber-criminal to guess or 'crack'.
Here is a handy infographic with some 'golden rules' for creating a strong password! Feel free to download (right click, and then 'save image'), or click on the icons above to share on social media.
Posted in online safety , online safety tips and online security
Christmas and the holiday season is almost here, which means that many of us will be shopping online to avoid large crowds and the hustle and bustle on the streets and in the shops.
Posted in online safety , online safety tips and online security tips
Introducing #30SecTech - a series of quick, bitesize educational videos on a range of topics including cybercrime, internet security, online privacy and more. Plus, we have a bonus! At the end of every video you will find a link to an article providing more background information on each topic. Enjoy!
Posted in digital trends , online safety and online security
Teaching your kids about internet baddies is a big job, but how should you approach it? Do you tell them horror stories about internet bogeyman or give them the hard, cold facts and figures?
If you can make internet safety fun, they’ll be far more likely to learn from it, which is why we’ve picked our six favourite interactive ways to teach your kids about internet safety.
Posted in family security , online safety and online security
Everywhere we go, we carry tiny computers in our pockets. We can answer any question within seconds using Google or we can live stream movies or hours of footage of the Kardashians from pretty much anywhere. There’s even Wi-Fi on Mount Everest.
Technology is everywhere and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. iPads are standard practice for kids, and books—like analogue clocks—are a thing of the past. Many of our kids know how to navigate the web before they’ve figured out how to make their beds.
Posted in family security , how to guides and online safety
We’re not talking ancient Greek pottery here, but one of the most prevalent issues in Internet security today. But what exactly is grayware? Why is it a problem? And how should you deal with it? Read on to discover all you need to know about grayware.
So, what is grayware and what’s the big deal?
As its name might suggest, grayware is a category of software that sits in that ‘gray area’ – a sort of no-man’s land – between outright malware and legitimate conventional software.
Posted in online safety , online security and online threats
We all love a good bargain, and the internet is a handy tool for comparing products and services and potentially making savings in both time and money. According to the Centre for Retail Research ecommerce is the most rapidly expanding retail market in Europe, and the British are the biggest-spending online shoppers: UK online sales grew by 15.8 per cent last year (2014), from £38.83bn in 2013 to £44.97bn.
However, there are a few pitfalls it pays to consider before starting your online shopping spree. Cybercriminals use a lot of different methods to exploit online payments, aiming to get hold of your personal data and lighten your wallet, or simply make money out of you by persuading you to click links. Follow our top tips for safer online shopping, and you’ll reduce the risks of paying out more than you intend when buying online.
Posted in online safety , online safety tips and online security tips
With a growing amount of harmful and increasingly sophisticated software prowling the Internet, it’s essential to understand what spyware is and the problems it can cause. Spyware may be much more than an irritation as it can pose major privacy and security risks. Below, we’ll explain what spyware aims to do, how it gets into your computer and how you can avoid it.
Spyware is a blanket term given to software that gathers information about your computer and the things you do on it, and sends that information over the Internet to a third party. Sometimes spyware asks for your consent first. More commonly, it installs itself on your computer without you knowing and runs in the background, secretly collecting data, sending you targeted adverts or meddling with your computer set-up.
Posted in online safety , online security , online security tips and online threats
Bullying – it’s an age-old problem. But it’s one that’s found a new lease of life on the Internet. Thanks to our ‘always on’ mobile technology and our enthusiasm for sharing everything without care, cyberbullying has found the perfect home online. Cyberbullies can hide behind the anonymity of the Internet, and reach their target easily at almost any time and from anywhere, while broadcasting to a potentially limitless audience.
Posted in family security , how to guides , online safety and online safety tips
As #BetaParents, we are the first generation of parents to raise children in the all-digital world; responsible for keeping them safe online.
Learn more about teaching your children healthy online habits with our free guide. CLICK HERE for the guide.
Posted in family security , online safety , online safety tips , online security , online security tips and parental control software
Of course, we’re talking about web cookies here – not the furry blue Sesame Street Muppet. Web cookies, unlike the treat-loving Cookie Monster, follow your movements on the Internet, collecting and storing information about you. No need to panic though: for the most part, cookies are intended to enhance and customise your browsing experience and are as harmless as the fluffy puppet.
However, because they can collect sensitive personal data, tracking cookies are sometimes considered to be a potential privacy concern. Continue reading to find out all about cookies: what they are, what they do and how you can manage them.
Posted in family security , online safety , online safety tips , online security , online security tips and parental control software
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