How to protect yourself online

How to protect yourself online

At Citizen we’re aware of the risks using the internet brings and we’re always looking for ways to help our customers protect themselves online.

It’s important to ensure that the device you use to access internet-based services is secure, that your usernames and passwords are known only to you, and that you know what to look for to be sure that a site is authentic.

Here are some of the steps you can take to be secure online:

• Protecting yourself from computer viruses – many of us are familiar with the idea that a computer should have anti-virus software on it, and it’s often built-in for many computers these days. Smartphones must also have some form of anti-virus software installed, and they often won’t have this feature unless you put some on. Many computer viruses are designed to specifically target smartphones, particularly Android devices, and anti-virus software is freely available to download.
• Protecting your passwords – for many people, passwords are painful! Often, people struggle to remember passwords, so they tend to keep them short and something they remember. They also use the same password in lots of different places. Billions of stolen passwords are known, and yours may be out there too. The most secure passwords are long, but even those don’t have to be difficult to remember. Consider using a password-phrase, pick three words that mean something to you, and include spaces if the system you’re using accepts them.
• Being able to spot bad communication – If you receive an email or text message you’re not expecting, ensure you can confirm it’s authentic. Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments on any emails or text messages you’re not expecting.

Free advice about what to do to protect yourself online is available at Get Safe Online.

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