The Metropolitan Police’s Fraud Squad has produced five videos to advise internet users on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime by adjusting current online behaviours that can make users vulnerable to cybercriminal activity.
Last year, (2016) an estimated 3.6 million cases of fraud and two million cases of computer misuse were reported to police. The figure is staggering, but even more staggering is that so many of those crimes could have been prevented by making a few small changes in online behaviour.
You don’t need to be a computer expert to avoid becoming a victim of online crime. Getting used to a few good online habits drastically reduces the chances of becoming a victim of cybercrime and will allow users to reduce their vulnerability and use the internet safely.
The video clips cover the five main causes of cyber related frauds. They are:
– Use of weak or insecure passwords.
– Failure to install security updates on devices.
– Using insecure/public Wi-Fi.
– Being vulnerable to identity theft.
– Being vulnerable to ‘phishing’.
The effects of becoming a victim of online crime can run far deeper than a loss of cash or property. The inconvenience and the frustration of hackers violating your privacy and accessing your finances and other accounts can be far ranging and long lasting.
The new campaign launches today and can be followed on Twitter @MetPoliceUK where a new ‘behaviour’ will be featured each day that working week.
Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard, Head of the Met’s Operation Falcon (Fraud and Linked Crime Online) said: “Victims of cyber criminals often mistakenly believe that fraud and cybercrime happen to ‘other people’.
“Our new video clips form part of our ‘Little Guide…’ series, through which we aim not just to draw the public’s attention to cybercrime, but to also to tell web users in a more engaging way what they need to do in order to avoid becoming a victim.
“It takes just a couple of minutes to view each clip and having viewed all five you will be better equipped to protect yourself from cybercriminals and fraudsters trying to steal your identity and your money.
“The use of password hardening is the first line of defence against cybercriminals and is the first video clip that we feature. In the majority of cases, a strong password could have prevented the criminals from gaining access. This video clip gives a simple step by step on ‘how’ to create a virtually impenetrable password that will defend accounts from all types of criminal attack.”
The clips can be viewed here at www.getsafeonline.org
To experience the campaign on social media visit us on Twitter @MetPoliceUK search #GetSafeOnline, or follow ‘Metropolitan Police Service’ on Facebook.
Additional prevention, reporting advice and the following downloadable guides are available at met.police.uk:
– The Little Book of Big Scams
– The Little Book of Big Scams – Business Edition
– The Little Book of Cyber Scams
Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online said: “We hear all sorts of scary stories about online scams, but the internet offers so many fantastic opportunities that we shouldn’t let the threat of cybercrime put us off going online and enjoying its many benefits. Instead, we just need to make a few small changes to our online behaviour in order to protect ourselves and stop scammers catching us out.
“The video series created by the Metropolitan Police shows us how to do this through simple step-by-step guides and tips on some of the basics such as creating a password. A few minutes to watch the videos could mean a lifetime of online safety, so we really do ask the public to take the time to watch them, brush up on their online safety and share them with others.”
